NSW news

NSWupdate

West Kempsey’s clean-up day restores pride in community

The CHL Kempsey team at the West Kempsey clean-up day.

Community clean-ups is one of the best ways to clean up the neighbourhood, but also rally the community together to raise awareness and ideas towards building and maintaining a vibrant and thriving community.

The West Kempsey community did just that with the help from CHL, the Kempsey Shire council and other local housing providers and community centres. Support and other services including tradespeople were on-hand to address any immediate issues related to waste build up in the home, provide information on waste education and other programs, as well as help with the barbecue throughout the day. Many in the community turned up on the day sharing their ideas and improvements with us to rejuvenate the neighbourhood including the 08 opportunity to co-design future projects, and a chat with their tenancy team about individuals or families who might be slipping through service gaps, enabling the team to facilitate linkages to the appropriate services. Customers even said, “This is the best the community has looked in years,” and, “[It] restores a sense of pride in the community”. CHL would like to acknowledge and thank our partners in making this fantastic day such a resounding success – Aboriginal Environmental Health – NSW Health, Burrun Dalai Aboriginal Corporation, Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre, Kempsey Shire Council, Many Rivers Regional Housing, Mohawks Lawn and Garden – Macleay Options, Wesley Mission and of course, the West Kempsey Community.

Corroboree Mosaic Unveiled

The CHL team in Kempsey has worked with community to assist the completion of a mosaic that was first begun in 2005 during the Croc Festival at Kempsey, with facilitating artist Guy Crosley listening to design ideas from Uncle Richard Campbell. During this event, hundreds of school children and others created the mosaic before it disappeared for 15 years. After it was recently re-discovered, CHL and Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre found funding to re-engage Guy Crosley and local artist, Elwyn Toby to see the work completed at Dunghutti Elders in a fantastic, huge space out the back.

On the last day of National Reconciliation Week, the community gathered for the unveiling ceremony arranged by Kempsey Shire Council, at its new permanent home in the centre of town, the work will adorn the Westpac Bank building on Smith Street. The 16-year journey to complete this beautiful piece of art has truly been one of community involvement and support from many services that fittingly reflects the mosaic’s theme of Corroboree.

Meet CHL tenant, Robert

Robert had presented to our office seeking temporary accommodation after the recent NSW floods.

The property he was living in at the local caravan park was directly opposite the Hastings River in Port Macquarie, which had waters rise at record levels. The street had been completely devastated by flood waters and possibly the worst in Port Macquarie. Unfortunately, Robert was directly affected and in turn had lost all his furniture, clothes, belongings, and his car. He was sleeping in his daughters’ garage since the floods.

Robert had presented to our office seeking temporary accommodation and tried to apply for social housing. He met with Jim, CHL’s Housing Options Worker who explored what options were available to him, but because Robert works, he was just over the income limit to qualify. Jim then liaised with our tenancy team and discovered that we could possibly help him through the NRAS scheme.

Robert was introduced to CHL Housing Officer, Melissa on the day and discussed how we might further assist. Melissa discovered Robert qualified for housing under the National Rental Affordability scheme (NRAS). Melissa searched and found a property suitable for Robert. Now Robert proudly lives in his new property and looks forward to making it his own.

Note:

Important notice for our NSW residents under the Social Housing Management Transfer Program. From 1st July 2021, please be advised that CHL will be responsible for all maintenance repair requests and after-hours emergency maintenance. You can contact maintenance on 1300 424 573. For all other tenancy related matters, please call your Tenancy Worker during business hours.