Neighbourhood Central Limited.
Neighbourhood Central Limited (trading as Neighbourhood Central), is a company limited by guarantee that began trading on 1 July 2020 after transferring from an Incorporated Association. The company is governed by a volunteer board of directors and continues to be a registered charity and a not-for-profit organisation.
Neighbourhood Central has grown from humble beginnings; when in 1977 the Parkes and District Neighbourhood and Community Information Centre (also known as the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre) was formed by volunteers who responded to an article in the Parkes Champion Post to improve access to information and support to people living in the Parkes community. A successful funding grant of $7000 enabled the first coordinator to be appointed in 1978.
During the 1980’s organisation continued to expand with services such as Aged Support, Housebound Library and a community bus adding to the growing list of support and assistance available.
The 1990’s saw the Centre continuing to evolve with further funding and grants enabling the Home and Community Care programs to commence. In 1996 the Parkes Shire Council assisted the Centre by providing permanent, and present-day premises, at the old Goobang Shire Building at 80-82 Currajong Street Parkes. A $400,000 grant enabled an expansion of the building in 1995.
Many more changes ensued including expansion of services and the opening of offices in Forbes and Condobolin to cater for Community Transport services.
Consolidation of individual programs with separate business structures and voluntary Boards saw services amalgamate in 2010 and operate as a single entity, helping to reduce compliance costs and improve business efficiency.
To reflect the expanded geographical service area, the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre changed to a new trading name (Neighbourhood Central) in April 2015. A community hub at Peak Hill opened the same year with Community Transport services, community and Aboriginal programs expanding.
Reforms in the disability sector in 2016 saw Neighbourhood Central become a registered provider of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), continuing to provide quality disability services and activities.
In 2017 Neighbourhood Central became an aged care Approved Provider, enabling the provision of home care packages for older people with more complex needs to remain living independently in their own home.
April 2020 saw further growth with the acquisition of Wyalong and District Community Transport Group. Another office and a fleet of six vehicles has enabled Neighbourhood Central to increase its footprint and more importantly, provide vital services to people living in rural and remote communities.
By 2020, the growth and complexity of the organisation required progress from an incorporated association to a more appropriate legal structure as a company limited by guarantee. This enabled Neighbourhood Central to position itself towards a more commercial approach, to assist in transitioning the organisation to a new customer-driven, competitive marketplace.
The acquisition of Lake Cargelligo Community Transport in 2022 enabled the service to grow into the Murrumbidgee area, with transport provided to the regional towns of Griffith, Wagga Wagga and beyond.
During 2024, further changes included the addition of Commonwealth Home Support Programme Domestic Assistance, as well as the conclusion of the Aboriginal Project Officer role and the volunteer Housebound Library service. The Housebound Library service commenced in 1978 and was one of the first services offered by the Centre. The service will now be run exclusively by Parkes Shire Council Library.
Neighbourhood Central now provides a variety of community support services to people living in the Parkes, Forbes, Lachlan and Bland Local Government Areas.
We invite you to call us on 1300 810 771 to discuss your requirements.
Neighbourhood Central has grown from humble beginnings; when in 1977 the Parkes and District Neighbourhood and Community Information Centre (also known as the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre) was formed by volunteers who responded to an article in the Parkes Champion Post to improve access to information and support to people living in the Parkes community. A successful funding grant of $7000 enabled the first coordinator to be appointed in 1978.
During the 1980’s organisation continued to expand with services such as Aged Support, Housebound Library and a community bus adding to the growing list of support and assistance available.
The 1990’s saw the Centre continuing to evolve with further funding and grants enabling the Home and Community Care programs to commence. In 1996 the Parkes Shire Council assisted the Centre by providing permanent, and present-day premises, at the old Goobang Shire Building at 80-82 Currajong Street Parkes. A $400,000 grant enabled an expansion of the building in 1995.
Many more changes ensued including expansion of services and the opening of offices in Forbes and Condobolin to cater for Community Transport services.
Consolidation of individual programs with separate business structures and voluntary Boards saw services amalgamate in 2010 and operate as a single entity, helping to reduce compliance costs and improve business efficiency.
To reflect the expanded geographical service area, the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre changed to a new trading name (Neighbourhood Central) in April 2015. A community hub at Peak Hill opened the same year with Community Transport services, community and Aboriginal programs expanding.
Reforms in the disability sector in 2016 saw Neighbourhood Central become a registered provider of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), continuing to provide quality disability services and activities.
In 2017 Neighbourhood Central became an aged care Approved Provider, enabling the provision of home care packages for older people with more complex needs to remain living independently in their own home.
April 2020 saw further growth with the acquisition of Wyalong and District Community Transport Group. Another office and a fleet of six vehicles has enabled Neighbourhood Central to increase its footprint and more importantly, provide vital services to people living in rural and remote communities.
By 2020, the growth and complexity of the organisation required progress from an incorporated association to a more appropriate legal structure as a company limited by guarantee. This enabled Neighbourhood Central to position itself towards a more commercial approach, to assist in transitioning the organisation to a new customer-driven, competitive marketplace.
The acquisition of Lake Cargelligo Community Transport in 2022 enabled the service to grow into the Murrumbidgee area, with transport provided to the regional towns of Griffith, Wagga Wagga and beyond.
During 2024, further changes included the addition of Commonwealth Home Support Programme Domestic Assistance, as well as the conclusion of the Aboriginal Project Officer role and the volunteer Housebound Library service. The Housebound Library service commenced in 1978 and was one of the first services offered by the Centre. The service will now be run exclusively by Parkes Shire Council Library.
Neighbourhood Central now provides a variety of community support services to people living in the Parkes, Forbes, Lachlan and Bland Local Government Areas.
We invite you to call us on 1300 810 771 to discuss your requirements.