BGF clients caught in location limbo
Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) clients got a surprise last week when they sought to access services at its new offices in the ACON building, only to find the organisation wasn’t there.
Due to concerns about then-incomplete Final Fire Certification documentation on the building’s new fit-out, BGF temporarily vacated the premises, moving client services to Redfern Community Health.
“BGF was not prepared to accept an unreasonable level risk in having staff and clients occupying the space,” its statement read. “BGF has now been provided with compliance certification by ACON, and is finalising its own internal compliance procedures to ensure that we offer a safe environment for staff and clients.”
BGF president Martin Walsh said he hoped the organisation would return to the Elizabeth St building by week’s end.
“We’re not experts in terms of building compliance issues so we’ve sought an opinion to ensure all of the documentation now received is in order and if there is anything else we need to ask questions about,” he said.
“Our staff are still seeing clients and we’re still available for service. Our phone numbers are still the same and it’s business as usual.”
INFO: [email protected] or call 02 9283 8666
Seems like another chapter to add to the growing pile of evidence of the incompetent ACON – can’t even make the building safe – or atleast have the proper codes in place to support the work of its partner services.
Sounds like a BGF over reaction. Was there not another way to remedy this as ALL the other orgs stayed and felt safe.
So if it was ‘unsafe’ why didn’t the other organisations in the building need to move out?
More incompetence from HIV/AIDS organisations with clients left to suffer the consequences. Shameful.