York respite house for Wheatbelt families

• Fourth respite centre completed at York
• State Govt $11.75m funding for five centres across WA
• York facility offers respite to people of all ages and disabilities

A purpose-built, five-bedroom house to provide respite for carers of a family member with disability was opened today in York by Disability Services Minister Helen Morton.

Mrs Morton said the Gilford Street property was built as part of the State Government's $11.75million election commitment to build five respite centres across Western Australia.

"Families and carers are very dedicated and often find their caring role rewarding.  But it's important they get a break when they need it," she said.

"This facility is suitable for children and adults with disability so that carers in York and the greater Wheatbelt area can have an opportunity to take that break."

The Minister said the Wheatbelt Individual and Family Support Association was the appointed service provider and would now be providing respite at the centre.

The Minister also thanked the Shire of York for vesting the land used for the facility to the Department of Housing for use by the Disability Services Commission.

"The shire has been a really positive supporter of this project in the past couple of years," she said.

The first of the five respite centres opened at Broome in 2010.  Since then, a centre was opened in Clarkson in May this year and in Rockingham during October.  The fifth centre is due to open in Gosnells early in 2013.

      Fact File

• Wheatbelt Individual and Family Support Association is service provider for Wheatbelt Residential Respite Services centre

• Liberal-National Government provided unprecedented 66.5% increase in Disability Services Commission funding over this term of Government

Minister's office - 6552 6900