2009-10 highlights

Agency Budget Highlights

State Budget 2009-10 Agency Budget Highlights (PDF 313 kB)

This Budget provides the new Department of Communities with the resources to help reach the Queensland Government's Q2 vision of a healthier and fairer State. It builds on past achievements, addresses a wide range of service priorities and social issues, and offers a forward-looking vision of fair, cohesive and vibrant communities throughout Queensland.

Government's commitment to sector sustainability

Government is aware of the recent decision to increase award wages for workers in the community services sector. As part of the Government's commitment to jobs and services that support Queensland's most vulnerable citizens, the Government will provide significant additional funds of $65 million in 2009–10 increasing to $125 million recurrently in 2012–13 for allocation, on a prioritised basis, to State-funded services.

Complementing these funds, government has also committed to the development and implementation of a suite of service improvement measures for all funded non -government organisation including:

streamlined service agreements
common intake and referral processes
harmonised quality/licensing systems
harmonised screening requirements
funding for output-based service provision and reporting.

This is in recognition of the vital role these services play in realising the Government's vision of a safe and caring community for many dependent and vulnerable Queenslanders.

Find out more about the new funds and service improvement measures to support critical service delivery (PDF 135 kB).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services

The Queensland Government will continue to implement the national Indigenous reform agenda to 'close the gap' on Indigenous disadvantage to meet targets for improvements in health, education, economic participation, housing and early childhood development.
The Government's $55.4 million commitment to making reparations for lost Indigenous wages and savings will be finalised in 2009–10 ensuring all eligible claimants have been recognised and compensated.

Child Safety Services

Support to improve the quality, diversity and stability of placements for children in care, who have complex and extreme needs, will be increased by $25.3 million in recurrent funding.
Work will continue to reduce the rate of child abuse in Queensland in accordance with the National Child Protection Framework. The provision of child safety facilities, such as safe houses for Indigenous children in remote communities and therapeutic residential care for young people with challenging behaviours, is designed to help reduce the rate at which Indigenous children are taken into care.
Child protection in 11 Indigenous communities will be strengthened with a focus on providing an immediate 'safe place' within the community. Capital funding of $9.9 million in 2009–10 will continue the establishment of facilities to ensure children who require out-of-home care are provided the opportunity to remain connected to their family, community and culture.
Family intervention services that provide practical advice and support to 1700 families will receive a $2 million boost in 2009–10.
Front-line staff will benefit from continuing career progression opportunities with $15.1 million allocated over four years to improve staff retention and development.
An innovative Indigenous youth mentoring services program in south-west Queensland, focused on reducing the number of children and youths entering the child protection and youth justice systems, will receive $2.3 million over three years.

Sport and Recreation Services

The Budget will deliver more than $53 million in grants to local governments, clubs and organisations for sport and recreation infrastructure, facilities and programs.
The successful Find Your 30 campaign will continue to encourage more Queenslanders to find that all-important 30 minutes of activity every day.
Queensland's reputation as a major sporting destination will be enhanced, with $2.5 million in 2009–10 to assist with staging the Dunlop Townsville 400, plus $11.6 million to host the Gold Coast Nitro SuperGP.
$60 million will be provided to support the $130 million redevelopment of the Gold Coast Stadium at Carrara, which will generate more than 350 jobs during construction and contribute $340 million to the economy over the next 10 years.

Community and Youth Justice Services

The Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville will be expanded with a capital funding investment of $70.2 million in 2009–10 ($170.7 million over four years). Due for final completion in 2012, the project will provide an increased capacity of 48 beds by 2011 and will generate significant employment opportunities in building and construction.
The Youth Justice Conferencing program will be boosted with an additional $0.61 million in recurrent funding to address increased demand for this successful diversionary program.
A new initiative to improve economic and social outcomes for young people who have recently entered the youth justice system and are at risk of further offending or homelessness will receive an additional funding of $0.5 million in 2009–10 ($1.8 million over three years).
A trial program in Rockhampton that provides an integrated approach to preventing domestic and family violence through case management of service delivery and support will receive an additional $1.1 million in 2009–10 ($2.7 million over two years).
Lifeline will receive an additional $2 million in 2009–10 to extend it's capacity to respond to the financial counselling needs of individuals and families.
The Seniors Legal and Support Service will also receive $1.8 million from this year's department budget.

Housing and Homelessness Services

A record $1.447 billion capital works program will build 1601 rental units, commence construction on 1742 rental units and upgrade existing social housing in Queensland. This will help alleviate shortages in social housing and provide significant employment opportunities in the building and construction industry across the State
The standard and supply of housing in Indigenous communities will be improved with a $196.1 million investment to add 194 rental units in Indigenous communities, replace two units, upgrade 1311 rental units and conduct maintenance on 4336 rental units. The Government will also acquire 70 rental units in non-Indigenous communities.
The Homelessness National Partnership Agreement is expected to result in additional investment from the Australian Government of $24.5 million in 2009–10, inclusive of the previously announced A Place to Call Home initiative. This will be matched by the Queensland Government to implement a range of initiatives for people who are chronically homeless or people who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Women's Services

The Office for Women will provide ongoing policy advice, coordination and implementation across a range of issues affecting women.
The agenda for 2009–10 includes developing a new strategic direction based on the outcomes of the 2008 review, supporting implementation of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Strategy, and facilitating women's leadership and engagement activities throughout Queensland.

Disability Services

The Growing Stronger suite of reforms will receive $15.3 million in 2009–10 to redesign the current specialist disability service system to deliver a fairer, more sustainable system.
A pilot project to provide a system of self-managed funding, auspiced through a non-government organisation, geared towards families with children and young people with a disability will receive $0.52 million additional funding in 2009–10 ($1.1 million over two years).
Youngcare will receive $1 million in 2009–10 ($3 million over three years) for accommodation and support for young people with a disability at a new residential complex on the Gold Coast.
Purpose-built accommodation in Brisbane for adults with an intellectual or cognitive disability will be upgraded with a $3.4 million capital investment in 2009–10 ($16 million over three years) and $0.8 million recurrent in 2009–10 ($2.2 million over five years).
The Home and Community Care Program (HACC) will receive $44 million in increased funding, including $28.5 million from the Australian Government, for additional services across Queensland to support the needs of the frail aged, people with disability and their carers.
Support will be provided for the establishment of community-based businesses that employ people with mental illness. $1 million will be allocated in 2009–10 ($2 million over three years).
Early intervention for young people showing early signs of mental illness will receive a boost with an additional $2.2 million allocated in 2009–10 ($6.5 million over three years) to trial two community residential programs.
$5 million has been allocated to develop sustainable service responses to support vulnerable people.

Multicultural Services

The Local Area Multicultural Partnerships (LAMP) and Community Action for a Multicultural Society (CAMS) will provide $2 million in 2009–10 ($5.9 million over three years) to support local government and community organisation projects that promote multiculturalism, improve community relations, and increase the capacity of people from culturally diverse backgrounds to access services.
Multicultural Assistance Program grants, designed to strengthen multiculturalism and foster harmonious community relations and participation, will provide approximately $0.7 million in funding for community projects and events across the State in 2009–10.

Service Delivery Statements are available on the Queensland Treasury website.

Last reviewed: 24 September 2009