The Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council has been named as the new provider for local support services, with a seamless transition for clients a key priority.

Chief executive officer Annette Steele said the new Bathurst service, to be located at 129 Piper Street, would be known as Wattle Tree House.

The announcement follows news that the Bathurst Women and Children’s Refuge was handed over to the new service provider on September 24. 

The service will also bring together the operations of Bathurst Emergency Accommodation Place, Mission Australia and Bathurst Women’s Housing. 

The four services will be administered from Wattle Tree House, but it will be business as usual in all other respects.

Ms Steele said in the past clients would have to tell their story several times, now they will be appointed a case manager. 

“We are working hard to ensure clients will not be affected by the change in service provision, and we have recruited many of the displaced staff to our service to further strengthen and sustain the transition period,” Ms Steele said.

She said the service will offer a new “one-stop shop” which will deliver a co-ordinated and consistent response to adults and families who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, to ensure they can access the services most appropriate to their needs. 

“From the streamlined entry assessment into the service to their successful exit into stable housing, the client’s case will be managed through a value-base of client-centred cultural awareness with consistency and respectfulness,” Ms Steele said.

“Wattle Tree House will also operate the Bathurst Women and Children’s Service (refuge) and has retained several staff who remain to ensure the transition will not cause a decrease in services for the most vulnerable.

“The funding and resources have in fact been increased to meet demand, and the facility is to undergo a makeover to create a more welcoming and accommodating space.

“Wattle Tree House will be a gateway where all services are available in one place,” she said.

Ms Steele said this is a government initiative to ensure a more streamlined service with more comprehensive data collection.

Dean Evers, manager of community programs with the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, said now Kooris and non-Aboriginal people will be working in equal partnership. 

During the tender process it had to be proved that all staff could work equally well with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. 

The Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council will be working with Veritas House in both Bathurst and Orange.

Mr Evers said Wattle Tree House’s Piper Street location, near Metro Cinemas, is close to the CBD and therefore more accessible.

“If people are homeless or at risk of being homeless they can come to this one address,” Mr Evers said.

“It’s all about the clients. They need a fairer go.”

The contact number for Wattle Tree House is 1800 851 858.

Bathurst Women and Children’s Refuge transferred to Wattle Tree House on September 24 and their new contact number is 1800 738 303.

All interested parties are invited to attend a community launch tomorrow in the Panorama Room at Panthers Bathurst from 9.30am.

Morning tea will be served at Wattle Tree House from 10.30am onwards.