CSGP and Beyond

In 1991, neighbourhood centre funding was incorporated into the Community Services Grants Program (CSGP) which funded a range of community services. Over the next two decades, the role and value of community development became obscured within the community and government which focussed more on direct service delivery to the detriment of preventative initiatives. At the same time, the diversity of neighbourhood centres increased, as individual centres adapted to meet both changing community needs and funding opportunities. A number of neighbourhood centres now act as multi purpose community service centres while others focus on one or two services or activities.

CSGP endured multiple reviews, no funding enhancement which led to ever growing uncertainty. In 2010, following sustained advocacy by LCSA and its colleague CSGP peak bodies, the core funding to neighbourhood centres was increased by 20%, funding for new services was made available and the funding program was moved to Commuhity Builders with a renewed emphasis on community strengthening reflected in service specifications.

Member organisations of LCSA move into the second decade of the 21st century with new found opportunities to practice community development principles in the contexts of contemporary New South Wales.