Langmont Funding

westholme · Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 2628 Location: Amamoor

As from 15/08/06, the Department of Natural Resources ceased funding Langmont Advantage in it’s capacity of offering psychological support to affected landholders of the proposed dam to be built in the Mary Valley. It has however, allowed current clients to be given further limited assistance. All new cases will be referred to Lifeline at the Kandanga one-stop shop.

(Just thought this was too important to the comunity so I swallowed my pride)

Darren E · Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 2075 Location: Dagun, Qld

I'm not sure what to make of this, besides the obvious that the goverment's promise of counselling and support was just for show.

Maybe it's a good thing. One person I know who took advantage of Langmont's services told me that every time they discussed their emotional stress, the counsellor advised that they just stop fighting and sell to the government.

On the other hand, I don't know if Lifeline offer the same services i.e. always get to speak to the same person, and option of face to face support in your own home.

Westholme, no need for pride swallowing. You should be proud of the work you have done, and wear it like a badge of honour. Anyone who says different can come and see me for a bit of my free "counselling".

Bronwyn · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 691 Location: Noosaville

Before I answer this post on the topic, I would like to agree wholeheartedly with Darren

Darren E · Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 2075 Location: Dagun, Qld

On today's ABC Coast FM news there have been a couple of stories regarding this thread of the forum.
Transcripts are not available from their website, but the following is pretty close (my shorthand is not what it used to be).

SteveB · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 241 Location: Dagun

Following the radio story today I rang the Kandanga One Stop Shop to verify the situation and was informed by staff there that Lifeline were the only party offering counselling services and that to their knowledge the Langmont service had been withdrawn.
_________________
"Bad luck ... you dickheads. Suffer in your jocks". (from: the Castle)

Darren E · Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 2075 Location: Dagun, Qld

I was prompted to call Langmont again, and when I did, Ben again answered the phone. He was quick to apologise that the information he gave me earlier was incorrect - apparently in the intervening half an hour he had been briefed by his manager. I spoke to his manager Sharon Ledger who was happy to explain that although the original arrangement with DNR was completed on 15th August, a new arrangement was negotiated just yesterday (which is why Ben was unaware).
Langmont Advantage will now continue to offer the same support services as before, although in the first instance they are suggesting to people to contact LifeLine at Kandanga.

Thanks to Nikole Jacobi at ABC for helping to sort all of this out.

Darren E · Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 2075 Location: Dagun, Qld

Last update (I hope).
I've just spoken to Paul McDonald from DNRM, mainly because in another radio interview today he said he couldn't understand why anyone would make such a claim (about cutting off the funding). I wanted to reassure him that the information presented here was based on written and verbal statements from Langmont and LifeLine, which were assumed to be correct.

Paul said that it was only in the few hours since the radio interviews that he became fully aware of the extent of confusion and crossed-channels regarding the issue, and he would work to ensure that any remaining confusion was resolved.