Community
17 July, 2024
Service centre’s new look
SERVICES Australia’s Yarrabah service centre has been upgraded following extensive community consultation.
Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen said the agency had worked with the local community, councils and staff to improve and tailor the delivery of government services to First Nations people in the beautiful region.
“The newly-designed service centre reflects the local community's history, geography and unique personality,” he said.
“Engaging with the Indigenous community during the design process ensured the focus was firmly on locals’ needs.
“Features such as a redesigned customer interview desk are already proving popular, meeting the need for improved privacy in the small space but still maintaining a sense of community.”
The work included an extension into a vacant tenancy next door, allowing for a larger customer service area with additional facilities for customers to access.
“The sub-contractors involved were local to the Cairns region, with builders, plumbers and joiners engaged to undertake the works under the main contractor, Jones Lange LaSalle,” Mr Jongen said. He said the tradies had just four days to transform the site.
“It is the second site developed specifically to meet the cultural needs of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, following the success of the redesign in Fitzroy Crossing," Mr Jongen said. "It's part of a rolling program to bring all of our service centres up to contemporary design standards by the end of 2025.”
Service centre manager Rachel Hari said staff were local to the Yarrabah area and had a connection to the community.
