Thursday, 2 May 2024

Footscray community services

Katie HALL (Footscray) (17:12): (632) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Mental Health in the other place, and the action I seek is for the minister to attend a traders meeting with me in Footscray to discuss support services that are available for people experiencing homelessness, mental health issues and issues with alcohol or other drugs in Footscray CBD. Footscray has always been a place where people can access the services they need. I have spoken many times in this place regarding the services that support people in our community, from McAuley social services to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Cohealth or Reaching out in the Inner West.

It is important to me, to traders and to the broader community that people receive the outreach services they need personally and that Footscray’s mall is an active, clean and safe place to shop or dine out. I have met with local council, the City of Maribyrnong, and their mayor and CEO to raise these issues and discuss better enforcement of local laws through regular attendance of compliance officers and the possibilities for urban design improvements through greater activation, which is engagement I will continue with. I have also met with local police and a seniors community outreach representative to discuss ideas that might assist traders. I look forward to having the minister visit Footscray to discuss the state government funded services that are available.