Consumer & Tenant Resource Centre Outer East
to close its doors

The Committee of Management for the Consumer & Tenants Resource Centre Outer East announce that the centre will cease to operate after June 30 2004.

The decision has been made by the State Government of Victoria to close all eastern region centres and consolidate services in Consumer Affairs based in Melbourne.

The Committee of Management have expressed grave concerns regarding the State Government’s plans.

“We have concerns that vulnerable people will fall through the gaps. The Government is not providing enough resources to assist these people. There will be a major loss of personal contact and local identity.” Committee Member Mr Frank Gilbert JP, stated.

“Our other concerns are that there will be no expertise in the areas where people need help. They will be referred to a call centre, they could be put on hold for long periods, a lot of the people who need help only have mobile phones. This is just not acceptable.” Mr Gilbert said.

“Consumer Affairs have been very vague on the details and very misleading in the information that they have provided to current staff.” Committee Member Elisa Sharp stated.

“They claim this is not a cost cutting exercise but we have four fantastic workers in Boronia whose futures are now very uncertain. We are all having trouble finding the benefits of this exercise.” Mrs Sharp said.

The Committee of Management cannot speak highly enough of all the staff in Boronia and wish them all the best in whatever their futures may hold. We have found it to be an honour to work with such professionals and it really is the loss of the State Government and the local community if these staff fall out of the system.