Corangamite Shire Council is the latest Victorian council to make the unenviable decision to stop providing in-home aged care services, starting 1 July 2023. Other councils to have done so include Golden Plains, Moorabool, Mildura, Greater Shepparton, Bendigo, Ballarat, Hepburn and Campaspe. 

Following a six-month review, Mayor Ruth Gstrein said the Commonwealth has a new model of care – Support at Home – which will begin 1 July 2024.

The Council accepted the review decision that the reformed services would be best delivered by other providers who could offer a wider range of services.

“We thank our staff and clients for their patience while we have worked through the review to determine how we can best support our residents both now and into the future,” Ruth said.

“It was certainly not an easy decision for Council to make, but it needed to be made due to such transformational Federal reforms,” Ruth said.

“The open market will provide much greater choice for clients and Council will look at delivering alternative programs to support its residents.

“We understand this has been a really challenging time for our wonderful staff and clients who have been with us for many years,” she said.

Council delivers entry-level in-home services for approximately 500 clients in Camperdown, Terang, Derrinallum, Lismore, Skipton and surrounds. Historically in Victoria, Councils, such as Coranangamite, have provided these services on behalf of the Commonwealth and State Governments.

“No client will be left without a service,” Ruth promised.