Jack Hudson

THE Gawler community corrections office on Calton Road will close at the end of its lease period in February 2021.

The continuation of the services will be maintained at the Elizabeth Community Correctional Centre instead.

Correctional services minister Vincent Tarzia said the decision came following the decrease in the number of offenders receiving community service orders.

“Many offenders assigned to Gawler CCC reside in outreach locations that are visited by corrections officers,” he said.

“The majority of remaining offenders live in close proximity to Elizabeth CCC.

“Offenders will continue to participate in community service programs in their area.

“The Marshall Liberal Government is dedicated to keeping South Australians in jobs.

“No one will be forced out of work by this change, with seven staff to relocate from Gawler to other centres.”

The community corrections office closure is the most recent closure following the Housing SA office, VORT testing and the planned shutdown of carpentry and joinery courses at Elizabeth TAFE.

Light MP Tony Piccolo said it’s much more difficult and expensive for local people to access services.

“The closure of the VORT service in Gawler means young people and their parents have to spend more on obtaining their ‘Ps’,” he said.

“Shutting down the Housing SA Office in Gawler is just adding insult to injury, as the most vulnerable in our community, including women fleeing domestic violence, having to travel further to obtain housing.

“The closure of local services just adds stress to the lives of people already doing it tough.”

Mr Piccolo said the closure of the community corrections office is particularly concerning.

“When offenders do the right thing, we are all safer and we should assist people to do the right thing and participate fully in society,” he said.

“Less workers means less shoppers, which means less business. It is a downward spiral.

“Small businesses need more customers, not less.”

Mr Piccolo added the closure of TAFE carpentry and joinery courses means local young people undertaking these courses working towards obtaining a skilled trade, will have to travel across the city to Tonsley to complete their trade studies.

“At a time then we need more young people to undertake a trade qualification, the Marshall Liberal Government is making it harder for young people to access these courses,” he said.

“These closures are further evidence that the State Liberal Government has turned its back on the people of Gawler.

“It is disappointing to see the State Government close down public services under the cover of COVID 19 pandemic.

“When many in the community are doing it tough, the closure of important public services just makes life harder for people already struggling.”