More FRC’s launched
Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock has launched a further 25 Family Relationship Centres.
“These Centres provide information to families who want to make their relationships stronger or who are having relationship difficulties, as well as referring them to other services that can help. The Centres also provide dispute resolution services for families undergoing separation and needing assistance in resolving parenting arrangements’.”
“Fifteen Centres opened in July last year, and over the past year have proven themselves to be valuable community assets. I welcome today’s opening of the additional 25 Centres.”
The Family Relationship Centres are the cornerstone of the Howard Government’s $397 million reforms to family law- the biggest ever investment in the family law system. The reforms are the most significant in 30 years and are aimed at helping families deal co-operatively and practically with relationship difficulties and separations. The reforms ensure family law puts children first.
To the end of May this year the 15 Family Relationship Centres already established by the Howard Government managed a total of 44,277 phone calls and 9151 walk-ins; 16,197 interviews and intake sessions and 6493 dispute resolution sessions.
“This success has been driven by the professionalism of the organisations operating the Centres and the highly skilled staff that are helping the Australian Government realise its commitment to a new, less adversarial culture in family law,” Mr Ruddock said. “It is encouraging that more people are being persuaded that mediation is a better option than litigation.”
The 25 additional Centres are spread across Australia with seven for New South Wales, six for Victoria, six for Queensland, three for Western Australia, two for South Australia, and one to be placed in Tasmania. An additional 25 Centres are set to open in July 2008, completing the national network of 65 Centres. Their contact details are below.
Families who cannot easily access a Centre can contact the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321, or access Family Relationships Online at www.familyrelationships.gov.au
Media Contact: Sarah Stock 0419 278 715
LOCATION ADDRESS CONTACT NUMBER
Blacktown 125 Main Street
Cnr Main Street and Sunnyholt Road
Blacktown NSW 2148 (02) 8811 0000
Campbelltown Level 2, Macarthur Square
Gilchrist Road
Campbelltown NSW 2560 1300 883 471
Fairield Cnr Hamilton and Barbara Streets
Fairfield NSW 2165 1300 851 437
Newcastle 495 Hunter Street
Newcastle NSW 2300 (02) 4016 0566
North Ryde 277 Lane Cove Road
North Ryde NSW 2113 (02) 8874 8088
Nowra 38-44 Berry Street
Nowra NSW 2541 (02) 4429 1400
Wagga Wagga 129 Fitzmaurice Street
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 (02) 6923 9100
Ballarat 32 Main Road
Ballarat VIC 3350
(interim site for 4-6 weeks)
1/1253 Howitt Street
Wendouree VIC 3355 1300 303 988
Berwick 1-2, 38 Clyde Road
Berwick VIC 3806 (03) 8768 4111
Geelong 27 Myers Street
Geelong VIC 3220 1300 656 043
Greensborough 79 Grimshaw Street
Greensborough VIC 3088 (03) 9404 7800
Morwell/Traralgon 41 Grey Street
Traralgon VIC 3844 (03) 5174 1055
Wodonga 282 Beechworth Road
Wodonga VIC 3690 (02) 6022 8644
Gold Coast Suite 11 Ashmore Commercial Centre
207 Currumburra Road
Ashmore City QLD 4214 (07) 5656 1700
Cairns 182 Gatton Street
Manunda QLD 4870
125 Grafton Street
Cairns QLD 4870 – permanent venue (07) 3423 6966
Ipswich 41 East Street
Ipswich QLD 4305 (07) 3202 2214
Sunshine Coast Big Top Shopping Centre
Ocean Street
Maroochydore QLD 4558
(interim site until mid Dec)
43-45 Primary School Court
Maroochydore QLD 4558 (07) 5452 9700
Rockhampton 36 East Street
Rockhampton QLD 4700 (07) 4929 1210
Upper Mount Gravatt 23 Sanders Street
Upper Mt Gravatt QLD 4122 (07) 3423 6967
Geraldton 116 Durlacher Street
Geraldton WA 6530 (08) 9921 2611
Mandurah Shop 1B, 11-13 Pinjarra Road
Mandurah WA 6210 (08) 9583 1400
Midland Unit 15, 53 The Crescent
Cnr Sayer St and The Crescent
Midland WA 6056 (08) 9436 0600
Noarlunga 38 Beach Road
Christies Beach SA 5165 (08) 8202 5200
Port Augusta 11 Marryatt Street
Port Augusta SA 5700 (08) 8641 0432
Launceston 121-125 York Street
Launceston TAS 7250 (03) 6336 7050
