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Safer Communities Fund Supports Innovative Program

Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, officially opened the Australian Government funded BikeShed facility in Rockhampton.

Established by the Coalition Government in 2016, the Safer Communities fund delivered $1.1 million towards the BikeShed program operated by Selectability. The Rockhampton Shed is one of three to benefit from this funding.

Selectability’s BikeShed initiative is designed to assist those living in regional locations to improve their mental wellbeing through exercise and social interaction.

Children and young adults aged 10 to 24 are offered a second-hand bike to strip down, repair and rebuild which they are then able to keep. There are also drumming circle and painting activities to be involved in.

The program aims to teach resilience, self-respect and teamwork in an environment that is comfortable and welcoming enough to tackle the challenges in a way that is right for the participant.

Hard working Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, stated investments into the community through initiatives like BikeShed have a profound impact on the individuals involved in the program.

“One in four Australians experience loneliness and isolation which greatly affects their mental health.

“Three years after we first experienced lockdowns and mass isolation during the peak of Covid, society is more acutely aware of the impacts that being withheld from social activities can have.

“Services, like the BikeShed program, is an important tool to assist with improving both physical and mental health. That is why I am delighted to have delivered funding to allow this program to come to life in Rockhampton,” Ms Landry said.

The Coalition’s Safer Communities Fund has also delivered $225,000 for new security fencing at Heights College and $65,000 for the Safer Children and Resilient Youth Program operated through the Islamic Society of Central Queensland.

Unfortunately, in Labor’s first Budget last year they cut $50 million from the Safer Communities Fund that would have provided valuable security infrastructure such as CCTV, lighting and fencing, as well as early intervention programs for high-risk youth.

“Labor cutting $50 million from the Safer Communities Fund is leaving vulnerable communities at even more risk. They simply do not care about the most marginalised people of our community,” Ms Landry said.

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