Surf Coast to cut aged care
A REVIEW of council age services will require Surf Coast Shire to drop several key aged and disability programs by 2020 as sweeping changes to the current national system come into effect.
Key services recommended to be dropped include meals on wheels, respite care, assisted property maintenance and home care packaging, with council standing to save over $1 million by handing the responsibility to other care organisations.
From 2020, the Surf Coast Shire, like many councils, will no longer be the sole provider of a range of disability and aged services.
The Federal Government will adopt a system where private organisations, not-forprofits and potentially individual clients will be able to apply for funding for services, a move aimed at creating a rich, competitive market.
While the council has vowed that none of its disabled or elderly residents will be forgotten in the transition, the changes have forced it to plan and consider its position as a service provider in this new market.
The shire has conceded it is unlikely it would be able to offer competitive prices.
The Positive Aged Service Review research paper was developed using feedback provided by clients and volunteers.
The paper examines future roles of council as a service provider, and how to transition into the new system in a way that minimises the effect on the population.
The shire has contributed $1.35 million in the 2017-18 budget to age and disability services and is unlikely to be competitive in the future market.
General manager culture and community Chris Pike said aged and disability services was a highly regulated industry, and residents could be assured of good federal standards.
“It’s not council’s intention to leave the community without services they need,” Mr Pike said.
“Council can’t be everything to all people, especially in a rate capped environment. So if the community can get the servi- ces they need to the standards that are set by the government, then it need not be council providing these services.”
The council is now seeking feedback from the community on the best way to transition into this new system, and last night voted to release the discussion paper detailing future options for service delivery for public exhibition.
The discussion paper lists four future options for the council to consider: REMAIN a service provider in an increased market; CONTINUE to offer some but not all services, while updating prices to reduce the cost to the ratepayer; SUB-CONTRACT on behalf of clients with the new external providers; or HAND BACK service delivery to state and federal departments.
The current recommendation is to continue to deliver some services while handing back the responsibility of services to governing bodies over an extended period.
The discussion paper can be found for review and comment at: surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Aboutus/Have-Your-Say