Changing the landscape for people with disability

Supported employees from Intework, one of the State’s largest disability service providers, are helping to provide landscaping solutions for the City of Rockingham, thanks to a partnership with a local landscaping business.

Intework entered into a partnership with Lochness Landscape Services (Lochness) in 2013, who provided opportunities for supported employees to undertake horticultural maintenance work in Rockingham and surrounding areas.

This relationship has continued to prosper, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by both parties in March 2014.

Intework Chief Executive Officer Fiona Beermier said the partnership was a step in the right direction towards creating inclusive communities, and instilling public confidence in the abilities of people with disability to perform on-going work to a high standard.

“The importance of having regular and meaningful work cannot be overstated for our employees; with Lochness’ help, we have been able to train and develop our crews into a well-performing and stable workforce,” Ms Beermier said.

“The City of Rockingham have very high standards with regard to maintenance of their parks. This is important when we work to develop our employees’ understanding of quality outcomes and customer satisfaction.”

Lochness General Manager Stuart McIntosh said the ability to sub-contract Intework on City of Rockingham contracts had provided employment for up to 12 people with disability at seven different locations.

“Intework staff undertake general horticultural maintenance of parkland sites as estates within the City of Rockingham, and have recently expanded with another horticultural team within the City’s Baldivis South contract,” Mr McIntosh said.

“We are proud to have embarked on this partnership with the support of Intework’s ADE business manager Paul Timms in assisting to find meaningful employment for people with disability, as we believe it complements many of the policies organisations now have as part of their disability access and inclusion requirements.

“We also take pride in contributing to the beautification of Rockingham’s public open spaces, and working within a city that so openly supports such a relationship through their disability inclusion program.”

Managing Director John Troiano said Lochness had worked hard to create the framework for future small business and disability providers to create a pathway for people into the workforce.

For more information contact
Melanie Dunn, Marketing and Communications Officer, Intework
(08) 6241 6615, 0407 303 542
melanied@intework.org