Mildura Rural City Council has formalised its move out of aged and disability care following three months of community consultation.

The northern Victorian Council will transition out of providing aged and disability care services in June of next year, citing the Commonwealth’s move to its new Support at Home Program as the reason for its decision and saying it was “not in the best interests” of Council to continue as provider.

The Council will see out its contract with the Commonwealth as it works out a transition plan with State and Federal Governments, and says some smaller home care program clients may transition sooner.

Mildura Mayor Cr Liam Wood said that, while it was a “tough decision”, it was the right one for the Mildura community.

“Making this decision now, more than 12 months before the Commonwealth’s proposed shift to the new Support at Home model, ensures our valuable clients and dedicated staff will be as prepared as they can be.

“Our goal now turns to continuity of care until our current contract ends in mid-2023, and ensuring a seamless transition to new service providers when the time comes,” he said.

Mildura Council announced its decision to exit aged care services in February; a number of Councils, mostly in regional Victoria, have followed suit in the past few months.