MOBILE SERVICE CENTRE BLUE GUM CONTINUES TRAVEL THROUGH NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES
The Mobile Service Centre Blue Gum is continuing to travel through Northern NSW, including the New England region to provide support to rural and regional communities nearby.
Mobile Service Centre staff help customers with essential government services including Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services.
Blue Gum is one of three trucks in the Mobile Service Centre fleet operated by Services Australia.
Minister for Government Services Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said Mobile Service Centres demonstrate the Government’s commitment to ensuring all Australians get the support they need, no matter where they live, particularly following a natural disaster.
“It’s important that communities in rural and remote areas can access essential government services easily, so they can get on with their lives,” Minister Reynolds said.
“In total, Mobile Service Centres have travelled over 970,000 kilometres since 2006 and have assisted over 166,000 customers in more than 5,400 communities.
“Blue Gum will continue its travel through regional NSW during February and March to ensure people in these regions can still access the services they need in 2022.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, the Hon Barnaby Joyce said the versatility of the Mobile Service Centres means they can quickly move to different regions and are often one of the first points of contacts for people following an emergency.
“The trucks have been involved in 28 emergency responses where crews have spent over 400 days in around 300 different communities,” Mr Joyce said
“Mobile Service Centre staff have assisted over 20,000 people affected by natural disasters. Most recently, the fleet was diverted to provide assistance to people impacted by bushfires in WA as well as severe storms and flooding across eastern Australia.”
Member for Parkes, the Hon Mark Coulton said anyone with Centrelink or Medicare questions should head down and talk to the staff aboard Blue Gum.
“Staff on board Blue Gum provide friendly face-to-face services, information and support tailored to customers in these rural and regional communities,” Mr Coulton said.
“They’re able to help with Centrelink claims, Medicare registrations and a number of other essential government services.”
All of the services provided on Blue Gum are offered with strict COVID-19 safety precautions in place.
Mobile Service Centre locations:
Town | Date |
Bingara | Tuesday 15 February and Wednesday 16 February |
Warialda | Thursday 17 February |
Pallamallawa | Friday 18 February |
Mungindi | Monday 21 February and Tuesday 22 February |
Wee Waa | Wednesday 23 February and Thursday 24 February |
Barraba | Monday 28 February and Tuesday 1 March |
Manilla | Wednesday 2 March and Thursday 3 March |
Bendemeer | Friday 4 March |
Caroona | Tuesday 8 March |
Nundle | Wednesday 9 March |
Walcha | Thursday 10 March and Friday 11 March |
Uralla | Monday 14 March and Tuesday 15 March |
More detailed information about the Mobile Service Centres’ upcoming stopping locations will be made available on the Services Australia website at: servicesaustralia.gov.au/mobileoffice