North West Minister and Kimberley MLA Ernie Bridge said today he had written to Housing Minister Jim McGinty seeking an assurance that proper consultation would occur before any future major decisions relating to Homeswest services in the Kimberley were made.
Mr Bridge said he had stressed to the Housing Minister his strong commitment to the value of involving Kimberley people in a detailed consultative process regarding major decisions affecting them.
"From information given to me, it would appear that Homeswest did not engage in such a process before making a decision on the location of its new regional office for the Kimberley, and this has caused considerable disquiet in Derby," he said.
"It is understandable that all Kimberley towns would be vying to be chosen as the Homeswest regional centre, but the central issue for consideration is the level of service provided to residents and our ability to enhance the efficiency of those services through establishment of a regional office."
Mr Bridge said he welcomed the decision to establish the new Kimberley office, and it was unfortunate that the benefits of the decision had been overshadowed by concern about the decision-making process.
