Helping People Achieve Acting CEO Stephanie Ransome says its contract with City of Darwin for the Trash and Treasure shop at Shoal Bay will end in January adding that supported workers with disabilities will be able to transition to the new operator

Published Nov 14, 2024, 4:07 AM
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As you would have heard us discussing throughout this morning, we know that HPA have issued a statement. I read it out live on air a little earlier today while interviewing Simone Saunders, the CEO of the City of Darwin. Now, the statement says, on behalf of HPA's board, President Barry Thomas, would like to inform the community of the sad news that the contract HPA has to run Shoal Bay Trash and Treasure with the City of Darwin has ended and our last day is going to be the thirtieth of January next year. Now joining me on the line is helping people achieves. Acting CEO Stephanie Ransom, Good morning to you, Stephanie.

Good morning, Katie, Good morning to your listeners.

Thanks so much for your time this morning. Now, Stephanie, what has happened with this tender?

So it's been a normal tender process. So City of Darwin used Tenderlink and we knew that the contract was coming up for retendering, and of course we submitted our tender and on this occasion we were just not lucky enough to secure it moving forward. So we're devastated, of course, and we will work with the new contractors Resource Recovery Australia in a transition to the end of January. But our biggest focuses around our people, so our staff and our supported employees and supporting them through the end of the contract.

Stephanie, can you talk me through how many staff actually work at shoul Bay and at the Trash and Treasure recycling shop.

Yes, so we have sort of a mix of staff and people with disability, so around fifteen people. Some are permanent part times, some are full time, some are casual, a mix and a mix of people with a range of abilities, and we will be working, you know, to make sure that they have ongoing employment. I need to reassure all your listeners that are supported employees, So people with disabilities, them and their families were notified yesterday and they will. They have options to stay with h if they want to transition over to the new provider if that's what they want, so and the same for our staff as well, they can be We're working with them on if they want to go and work with the new provider, we will work with them as well. So we do have a meeting tomorrow with the new provider, the new contractor. Sorry, so we can understand what their position is and how they want the transition to go, but ultimately it's the end of something fantastic. Should Bay Trash and Treasure is really great and I know that you're listening in the community. I spent lots of time in the recycle store and we will miss it. We will miss the community. But it's been a really great six years. And as we know, Tony Burns, the great character of the territory started that six years ago after a process we went through. So we are sad, but we've learned lots and we've met lots of wonderful people.

Stephanie, what was it like yesterday making those phone calls to the staff and to those that have been working out there with a disability. What was the reaction?

So I got the email from the council on Monday, and I didn't share it with anybody because it was late Monday night when I read it. I didn't share it with anyone. I can tell you I didn't sleep. Oh, I shared it with my husband. Of course. I didn't sleep Monday night, and I have to say it was probably my worst working day ever giving that news to people. But staff were aware that you know we'd tendered and it was coming, you know that there was a possibility that we may not get the tender because you know, you can't be one hundred percent sure, but still giving that message to staff, it's it's it's really devastating. And I think the thing that we have to and we as in HPA in the community, you have to understand is some people who work for us do have autism, and you know, maintly with families, with staff, with our supported employees in that transition, even you know, stopping working at Trash and Treasure and maybe coming to OS Designs or to Coocoda Industries or breaking ground, that's a big transition. So we will work, you know, with everyone to make sure that that's as smooth a transition as we possibly can. But also for our staff working with our partners. So we do have contacts with Volia, so we work with Voli at the waste transfer stations at Shoal Bay and Archers. So we're also approached them to see what roles they've got for our staff so that our staff have options they don't necessarily have to go with the new provider.

Yeah, that's really good to hear and unpleased that HPA is doing that. I mean, master's still been devastating for those staff members.

Yeah, you know, it's a big chunk of who HPAU is. And you know, we're very proud of Sheolbay Trash and Treasure and we've worked really well with the council and you know, the community will see the work that we've done recently on the yard because there was you know, it's quite muddy and flushy in the wet season. So we've worked with Biolia to put a new yard down, ground down. So we've been working very, very hard. And look, it's going to be great because the recycle shop will continue, but it will be a different name and a different organization.

Now. In terms of the feedback that you were then given by the council, I mean like there's a lot of people really going, well, hang on a set. We've got a local business or a local organization here, HPA that is actually helping Territorians into the workforce. You know, those with disabilities that may not like that, may find it really difficult ordinarily to be able to enter the workforce working out there at that shop, you know, and that that has now the tender has now been replaced with an interstate business. I mean, what's like, what was the feedback that was provided to you guys by the council.

So we haven't got that far yet, Katie, So and we will get to that. We will seek feedback on our submission. Are our main focus is our PIP where we you know, where we failed or fell down or what it is that we didn't put in our submission and then you know, we can then move from that as we move forward.

Yeah, oh, Stephanie, what a tough time for you guys, and so tough for you know, for all of the staff, but particularly those who, as you've said, you know, uh that routine and going out there and working is such a huge part of their lives.

Yeah, yeah, I'm one. So we spoke individually to families and to staff and employees and one mum was in absolute, really emotional yesterday because her child with disability who works at Trush and Treasure has got their driver's license and they've had they're on a pee plate and they have just had the courage to drive to Trush and Treasure for their shift once a week and so that will now have to be a change for that employee to drive, learn to drive to a new place. So these things are really part and parcel of what HPA does. So whilst we employ people and you know, we give them job and they come to work and they do that, it's so much more than just work at HPA. There's all this other underpinning things that happen for an individual and it does affect people, affects the individual and their families, and it will take time for them to recover, but that's what HPA does. We will support them and you know, in twenty twenty five we'll find a new business unit and we'll have something new that we'll be able to offer the community. But most of all, I want to say to you and your listeners and the community of Dawe and Palms and thank you for all the wonderful messages that you have sent us. And you know, we find it very humbling how much you appreciate what we do and the staff and how hard they've worked and our support and employees, So thank you so much and we really do appreciate it.

Ohean. People are fired up, they're ready to fight for HPI.

Thank you. We're ready to fight. We've still sort of in shock and you know that emotion, but you know you always have that fire in your belly. We wouldn't be we wouldn't do what we do every day if we didn't have that fire in our bellies. But for us, it's about making sure Pa and you know, come and see us on International Day for People with Disabilities. We've got a pop up shop at Bunnings Palmerstan. We're doing our fottages and selling our new products. Come and see us and show us your support. And all our supported employees have made something that will be sold in the pop up shop.

That is awesome. What dates that, Stephanie?

The December third is International Day for People with Disabilities is celebrated every year on the same data around the world.

Wonderful stuff. Well, look, I really appreciate your time this morning. I'm sorry that it's on sort of such a low note for you guys, but like you said, you know, please do take heart in the level of support that you're getting from the community. Even before I got on air this morning, we were getting in undated with messages, So I think that that really goes to show you that people have loved what you've been doing out there.

Thank you, and I'm actually going to drive out to Trash and Treasure now and just pass that on to everybody out there because that will help them, because I can't imagine how they all the different individuals will be feeling right now, but that will help them. And thank you. And when you go to Trash and Treasure, give them your support, tell them what a fabulous job they've been doing.

Yeah, great stuff, seany Yeah, thank you, thanks so much, and keep us up to date with how things. Do you know how that that does all go in terms of that transition, but we'd be really keen to stay in contact.

Thank you again, Stephanie, thank you, Katie, Thank everyone. Bye bye