Stronger Stream – Community Services, Volunteering & Disability Services:

• Concerned about the current Government’s lack of commitment to NGO funding. She wants to see a Lib/Nat Government embrace the NGO sector and give it the support to deliver services

• Government funding cut to non-government organisation, resulting in no co-ordinator and shortage of mentors. Again the State Government has failed to support an NGO

• The South West Sydney youth mentor program was previously funded by the Howard Government. The Rudd Government now gives funding to the State Government to administer, however the State Government has failed to filter the funding through to community organisations, resulting in no youth mentor funding in the region

• Concerned about the number of young people with disabilities in aged care facilities. Feels this in not only hampering the ability of the young person to recover, but also taking aged care beds away from older people. General comments regarding young people in aged care facilities and the need for more appropriate community based care.

• Urban design needs to ensure access to essential services, which will in turn build a stronger, more coherent community. There also needs to be a strategic approach to reduce graffiti. Was also suggested that and Integrated transport system will improve moveability and access to services, building a stronger community.

Healthier Stream:

• Need greater community input into the delivery of local health services. Particularly concerned about the running down of Queen Victoria Memorial Home and absence of services from Camden Hospital. Feels there is a disconnect between the huge SSWAHS and the community.

• Mother who was discharged without access to physio or other allied health and support services after giving birth to Down Syndrome child. Started a parents support network as a result. Feels there needs to better coordination between health, education and disability services to make it easier for parents to access services and get support for their children.

Safer Stream – Police:

• Need to promote a stronger family unit to improve community safety and reduce youth crime. A stronger family unit will also help reduce truancy, thereby improving education and reducing youth crime.