An agreement between the State Government and the Royal Life Saving Society WA (RLSSWA) has been extended for up to ten years, continuing to provide essential maintenance call centre support 24-hours, 7-days a week.
The two call centres in Manjimup and Bridgetown receive more than 150,000 calls each year, supporting a wide range of electrical, roofing, air conditioning and plumbing maintenance requests in schools and government buildings across the State.
The first maintenance call centre contract was awarded to RLSSWA in May 2002 and has continued to demonstrate value for money outcomes.
With more than 20 years of operations, more than $84 million of social and economic benefits have been realised via jobs to the local community, wages and additional staff qualifications.
The agreement was established to support alternative employment opportunities in these iconic timber towns and more than 1,250 people have been employed since 2002. Diversity targets have also been exceeded with more than 15 per cent of hours worked by someone with a disability and over 80 per cent of staff are female.
As stated by Finance Minister Tony Buti:
"Congratulations to the Royal Life Saving Society of WA on 20 years of operations and now up to ten years more in servicing the Warren-Blackwood region.
"This is a tremendous achievement and testament to fantastic work you do providing employment opportunities to the local community, while servicing the entire State to support maintenance services in essential government facilities.
"The communities in Manjimup and Bridgetown have relied on the timber industry for decades and the McGowan Government is focussed on supporting their diversification transition, while supporting the community."
As stated by Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:
"The McGowan Government is committed to supporting social and economic growth in the Warren-Blackwood region.
"The ten-year agreement extension ensures ongoing employment opportunities and social benefits for the Manjimup and Bridgetown communities.
"This decision guarantees the future of the Warren-Blackwood call centre and I'm so pleased the Royal Life Saving Society WA can continue its great work, all while providing fantastic outcomes for our region and our State."
