Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service (TAMS) will soon have a new Toyota Coaster bus as part of their fleet of vehicles thanks to $166,699 from the NSW Government’s Community and Place Grants Program.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the new bus would be fitted out with wheelchair access, ensuring that all barriers are removed for TAMS to deliver culturally appropriate transport to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.

“Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service do an outstanding job supporting the health and social needs of our Aboriginal community. That’s why I’m always keen to get behind any application for funding they may have,” Mr Anderson said.

“The addition of this new bus to the service will greatly benefit our community, ensuring Elders, youth, community and TAMS staff can easily travel around the region, attending important events and medical appointments.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said the Community and Place funding program is delivering tangible local benefit and impact to Aboriginal communities against Closing the Gap targets, while also recognising that Aboriginal communities have the solutions to issues in their community.

“This is a terrific and unique program that will put important funding in the hands of Aboriginal groups who best know how to bring about improvements and opportunities for their community,” Mr Franklin said.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government knows that by investing in local community initiatives we will significantly increase the likelihood of NSW achieving our targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.”

Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service Acting CEO Damion Brown said the new bus would be a great benefit to the organisation.

“The new coaster will help get our clients around town, particularly those with a disability who have had to use the taxi service to get to go and see a doctor or go to events,” Mr Brown said.

For more information on the Community and Place grant program and to view the list of successful grant applications, visit the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website.