Labor pledges to boost women’s health centre funding

Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre will receive a sizeable funding boost if Labor is successful at the March election.

Central Coast Labor MPs joined Shadow Minister for Women and Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison, on February 1 to announce that a Minns Labor Government would double the current funding for Women’s Health Centres NSW, with a $100M investment over five years.

For almost half a century, Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre (CCCWHC) has provided a range of health, counselling and crisis support services for women across the region, with sites in Woy Woy, Wyong and Wyoming.

The MPs said the Central Coast ranked second in the highest number of incidents of domestic violence across NSW in the last reporting period (Oct 21-Sept 22) according to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR).

In the same period, BOSCAR

Central Coast Council has received $2,443,750 from the Federal and State Governments as part of the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program to improve access for Soldiers Beach and Jenny Dixon Beach.

The works will replace or repair vehicle and pedestrian accesses that were damaged during the severe storms in 2021 and 2022, including: extension of the stairs in front of the Soldiers Beach Surf Life Saving Club; replacement of the northern stairs at Soldiers Beach; replacement of the concrete vehicle access ramp revealed that the Central Coast LGA ranked second for breaches of Apprehended Violence Orders, and first for incidents of sexual assault across the State, they said in a joint statement.

“Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre supports thousands of local women every year and is vital in providing a safe place for women who may fall through the cracks of the health system and otherwise end up straight into acute care,” they said.

“Up to 80 per cent of women who attend NSW Women’s Health Centres have experienced domestic or family violence.

“Labor’s commitment will ensure CCCWHC can keep its doors open and continue to provide specialised health care services for thousands of women across the Central Coast each year.

“It will also reduce pressure on our hospitals as women can access healthcare where they need it, when they need it, without having to go to an Emergency Department.

“Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre provides a safe and private setting for women to access vital physical and mental health services, as well as domestic, family and sexual violence support.”

The new investment would see CCCWHC able to: increase staff retention; reduce waitlists for counselling appointments; reduce numbers of women turned away from services; reduce gaps in availability of local services; adapt services to emerging demographic trends and population growth; and adapt services to address the complexity of presenting health issues.

Harrison said Women’s Health Centres are a welcoming, holistic and trusted regular health provider for tens of thousands of women every year.

“These centres not only provide clinicians to support women with their physical and mental health; (they also) provide preventative classes, events and support groups which are so important for women who would otherwise put off looking after their own health needs,” she said.

CCCWHC CEO Theresa Mason said the centre treats 1,500 women each year providing over 7,500 occasions of services.

Damaged beach access stairs set for a fix

at Soldiers Beach; and repair of the Jenny Dixon Beach stairs.

Council Director of Environment and Planning Alice Howe said Council is aiming to complete the projects in 2023, 2024 and early 2025 in a staged delivery.

“The construction work is dependent on the complexity of the engineering design, the outcome of the environmental and heritage assessments… and weather and ocean conditions,” Howe said.

“I am pleased to advise that the project is progressing well, with Council already awarding the design tender for the replacement of the SLSC

Vehicle Access Ramp and the replacement of the Northern Stair to Royal Haskoning DHV.

“Geotechnical ground testing has also commenced at Soldiers Beach to confirm ground conditions to inform the engineering designs.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said beaches are valuable assets which benefit the lifestyle and health of Central

Coast residents and visitors, and he looks forward to project completion.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the NSW Government was pleased to be providing funding towards the much-needed access upgrades.

“We have some of the best beaches in NSW right here on the Central Coast, so it is important that beachgoers have access to these valuable assets,” he said.

“I look forward to working with Central Coast Council in seeing the delivery of these projects.”

While Council has recently

“We provide services, referral information and advocacy support to over 4,000 women per year,” she said.

“Our sector has now reached a crisis point.

“Centres are running unsustainable operating deficits, and are being forced to make skilled mental health, clinical and health education staff redundant and reduce our services.

“Unfortunately for a number of years we have been operating at a deficit.

“This funding will help us sustain our current activities and support us to provide our level of service.”

Accompanying Harrison to make the announcement were Shadow Minister for the Central Coast David Harris, Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley, Member for The Entrance David Mehan, Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch and Labor candidate for Terrigal Sam Boughton.

Source: Media release, Feb 1 Central Coast Labor MPs undertaken temporary works to ensure Soldiers Beach is accessible, Jenny Dixon Beach access remains closed until further notice.

Council barricades and warning signs remain erected at Jenny Dixon Beach for community safety.

Council advises residents and visitors to stay away from the impacted area, remain behind any barriers that Council crews have put in place and stay upto-date by checking Council’s website or Facebook page for updates.

Source: Media release, Feb 1 Central Coast Council