The Territory Labor Governments $8.9 million five-point plan to tackle anti-social behaviour in Darwin, Northern Suburbs and Palmerston will get more people off the street and back on a better path.
A crucial component of the plan is the extension of the 40-bed, Mission Australia run Sobering-Up Shelter to 24-hours from 1st November 2018 (increased from the current hours of 4pm-10am).
The Territory Labor Government also funded the facility to go from 6-days a week to 7-days a week in 2017 to tackle problem drinking and link people to support services and pathways out of sleeping rough.
The extended hours will complement the increase in the number of Larrakia Nation Day Patrols (from 1 to 5 vehicles) as part of the five-point plan. The Day Patrol will increase from its current hours (5am 10am) to 5am 4pm (when the existing Night Patrol starts) and service a greater area (Darwin CBD, suburbs and Palmerston).
The chaotic CLP previously scrapped the Larrakia Day Patrol and Banned Drinkers Register.
The Sobering Up Shelter at Stringybark (Berrimah) provided support to more than 3,600 clients from January to August 2018. This number is expected to increase once it expands to 24 -hours next week and the four extra Larrakia Day Patrols begin next month.
The extended hours will allow for a more holistic service including:
Day program
Working with Danilla Dilba for primary health care
Linking people to other health referrals
Linking people to Centrelink
Linking with other Larrakia Nation services like HEAL
Other key measures outlined in the five-point anti-social behaviour plan to get people off the street and onto a better path were:
Better Pathway Centres (opening in 2019)
Three new Centres will be established in Darwin city, Northern Suburbs and Palmerston, to co-locate a range of support including onsite case workers, referral services (like Territory Connect) and hygiene / laundry facilities to give people pathways out of sleeping rough.
Temporary short term accommodation
There is a lack of short-term accommodation and three options are being identified in Darwin CBD, Northern Suburbs and Palmerston.
QUOTES FROM HEALTH MINISTER NATASHA FYLES
Our 5-point plan to tackle anti-social behaviour is about getting people off the street and on a better path.
Territorians have had enough of anti-social behaviour and alcohol fuelled crime and Territory Labor Government is very serious about tackling it.
Our plan addresses the immediate issue of getting people off the streets, but also puts in place vital services and programs like a 24-hour Sobering-Up Shelter - to help people turn their lives around and stop anti-social behaviour and alcohol fuelled crime.
QUOTES FROM MISSION AUSTRALIA (STRINGYBARK)
"Mission Australia welcomes the opportunity to extend the sobering up shelter service at Stringybark. We draw on years of experience in providing services to clients with complex needs, including clients who do not speak English as a first language, or those who are dealing with alcohol and other drug problems, disabilities or mental health conditions.
The Stringybark Sobering Up Shelter provides people with a safe place to shower, sleep and eat breakfast and an opportunity for our staff to check in with them and assist in finding appropriate support services, assessment and treatment.
