WA Govt Commits to Community Development Investment Fund

The West Australian Premier, Colin Barnett has announced a $10 million Community Investment Fund at the opening of the WA Council of Social Services State Conference, in Perth.

In launching the Conference, Premier Barnett outlined new Government initiatives that are included in the 2010-2011 State Budget.

The State Government says it will provide $10 million for a Community Development Investment Fund through which low-interest loans will be offered to eligible community sector organisations.

Premier Barnett says the loans, which have generally been out of reach for many organisations, will be for capital purposes such as building an income-generating asset base through new or refurbished infrastructure. Other examples could be as purchasing property; vehicles and equipment, to deliver services more effectively and enable the organisation become financially sustainable over time.

He also announced an initial $2 million Social Innovation Grants Program.

The Social Innovation Grants Program will promote new and improved ways of delivering social and community services.

The Premier says funding of $2 million in 2010-11 and $4 million for each year thereafter will encourage the sharing of policy, practice and data across agencies and identify co-location opportunities.

The Community Development Investment Fund and Social Innovation Grants Program will be administered by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and start on January 1, 2011.

The Premier also announced the establishment of a new forum for overseeing the relationship between the public and community sectors. The Partnership Forum will comprise equal numbers of public and community sector leaders, be chaired by Professor Peter Shergold AC, Centre for Social Impact.

The first meeting of the Partnership Forum is expected to be held by August 2010.

Some 300 overseas and local delegates are attending the 2-day WACOSS conference.