Wednesday, 12 July 2017
STATE Government services will soon be much easier to access in Glen Innes, with the rollout of a Service NSW Centre to make interacting with government agencies as easy as buying a newspaper.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today announced that a Service NSW Centre would be established in Glen Innes in the next 18 months as part of the latest round of new service centres, flagged in the 2017-18 NSW Budget.
“Service NSW is by far the easiest way to interact with government face-to-face, whether it’s to renew a drivers’ licence, register a vehicle, apply for a Seniors Card or a boat licence or pay for social housing,” Mr Marshall said.
“Armidale and Inverell residents have already seen the benefits of their centres, with faster, simpler and friendlier customer service and now it will be Glen Innes’ turn,” Mr Marshall said.
“At these centres you can complete more than 800 different transactions with government agencies at the same time and place, with a more efficient ticketing process ensuring faster service.
“They’re much better than the old RMS registries and requiring people to visit multiple locations, or even go out of town, to pay bills or get some paperwork completed.”
The local MP said he expected the Glen Innes community to embrace the new Centre, as has been the case in Armidale and Inverell.
“Service NSW brings more staff, more services and delivers them faster and all in the one place,” said. “The Centres are open for longer than the existing registries and the staff are friendly and helpful.”
An exact location for the building is yet to be determined and Mr Marshall is encouraging the community to share their thoughts on a preferred location.
“The chief consideration is that this needs to be accessible and close to town, yet large enough to fit the staff and equipment necessary. The current Glen Innes RMS building will be considered – but all options are on the table,” Mr Marshall said.
“In Armidale the old RMS registry was refurbished but in Inverell, a brand new site was secured.”
This upcoming rollout will also see Moree gain a Service NSW Centre, with a total of 24 across NSW. The Northern Tablelands will have four, including Armidale and Inverell.
Since its launch in 2013, Service NSW has revolutionised customer service delivery with a new way of delivering services – online through www.service.nsw.gov.au and the new mobile app, through the 24/7 phone service on 13 77 88 and new one-stop shops with expanded trading hours.
Mr Marshall said he would provide feedback on a potential location of the new Service NSW Centre to Finance Minister Victor Dominello when Parliament resumes net month. He’ll also be pushing for the new centre’s delivery to be fast-tracked.
“I want the Glen Innes community to gain the benefits this new centre will ring without any undue delays,” Mr Marshall said.