Midwest Community Living Association concerned delays to Federal funding rollout could impact project costs

A project to establish an all-inclusive opportunity hub in the Mid West is on hold as successful grant applicants wait more than two months to receive funding. Disability support service Midwest Community Living Association is one of 40 organisations to receive between $500,000 and $15 million as part of the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program. The not-for-profit is set to receive $836,829 to create an inclusive multipurpose Opportunity Hub in Geraldton, but since Minster for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King made the announcement on May 16, the funding is yet to be rolled out. MCLA CEO Alison Adam said she was concerned the delay in funding could potentially increase the overall cost of the project due to inflation. “MWCLA’s Opportunity Hub will create much-needed community infrastructure for people with disability, their carers, and community members,” she said. “We’re ready to hit the ground running, we would really like to get the contract now. “I’m a bit frustrated. We want to get under way, it has been a long process. It is a long time to wait for an outcome and then get an outcome and then wait for a contract.” Ms Adam said MCLA was ecstatic about the funding and hoped the contract would be finalised to avoid delays. “We have gone out to tender, the board is still deciding who will be successful,” she said. “We can’t announce the successful tender until that contract has been received and if we don’t get it within 60 days the quotes need to be redone because the costs will need to be re evaluated.” The project involves renovating an existing structure to offer a drop-in community use area, training kitchen and cafe, an independent living and hospitality training facility, and flexible activity space for people with disability to use from across the region. Improvements will go on to better support independent living and training for people with disabilities.