The City of Ballarat has officially voted to wind up its Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services as of 1 July next year.

The move – proposed earlier this month – was approved at a Ballarat City Council meeting, and will see Council transition to a new “Ageing Well” service model focused on “social support, community transport and other active ageing services”.

City of Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson (pictured) said Council wants to ensure a smooth transition without disadvantaging vulnerable members of the community.

“Local Government does need to transition out of this service. It is not moving in the direction that is set up for Local Government to sustain with boundaries and funding.

“The important work in connectivity and wellbeing is where we are far better equipped to support our ageing community, and that is what we can establish and strengthen in the coming months while we transition other services to external providers,” he said.

Bendigo is another Victorian regional council that has moved this month to end CHSP services.