The Keneally Government will invest almost $1 million to deliver frontline support services to consumers and traders in the Hunter Region.

Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said the commitment was part of a total investment of $195.7 million in Fair Trading services in the NSW Budget.

“The Keneally Government is building better Fair Trading services for the future of families and business people in the Hunter,” she said

“Fair Trading has an excellent reputation for supporting, educating and helping those in need.

“The Keneally Government is building a better future for Hunter residents through community organisations, industry grants and outreach services, including financial counselling, no interest loans and tenancy and advocacy advice.

“Consumers and traders can also access services through the Fair Trading Centre in Newcastle which employs 21 staff.

The Keneally Government will fund a range of Hunter services over the next financial year, including:

• Hunter Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service – $382,471
• Hunter Valley Project Financial Counselling Service – $107,394
• Hunter Valley Project NESB/CALD/ATSI Financial Counselling Service – $27,434
• Lifeline Financial Counselling Service (Newcastle and Hunter) – $111,176
• Wesley Creditline Financial Counselling (Newcastle/Hunter Outreach Service) – $90,440
• Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre Financial Counselling Service – $75,241
• Lake Macquarie Financial and Gambling Counselling Service – $87,405
• Hunter Region NILS® (No Interest Loans Scheme) – $82,140
• Josephite – NILS® (No Interest Loans Scheme) – $10,952 and
• Baptist Community Services – Food 4 Life NILS® (No Interest Loans Scheme) – $21,904.

Last year, more than 3,500 Hunter residents received assistance from these vital frontline services.

Hunter Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service Coordinator, Louise Wilde welcomed the
2010-11 NSW Budget.

“The NSW Government’s funding allows the service to work with tenants and landlords to negotiate a satisfactory payment plan to ensure the tenancy is maintained,” she said.

“In order to do this we network with financial counsellors in the region. We believe that if early action is taken there is no necessity to terminate the tenancy.”

The Newcastle Fair Trading Centre is open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm or call 4925 7000.

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