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Brimbank Mayor, Cr John Hedditch confirmed Council has reviewed the Federal Government’s Discussion Paper on ‘Future reform – an integrated care at home program to support older Australians’ released in July 2017.

Cr Hedditch said “the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is consulting with councils to gather information to develop a response to the Discussion Paper and Brimbank Council will be taking the opportunity to prepare a submission to contribute towards MAV’s response.

“While I highly value the range of services that councils in Victoria provide to older people in their own home, I am concerned that the reform to move to consumer-driven, market-based system could place vulnerable older people in our community at risk.

“We need to put pressure on the government to protect and enhance the sector.  The new reforms must bring positive changes to the table, not the reverse.

“At Brimbank, we value our older community members and want to support their independence and quality of life.

“We provide a range of services, community support, and recreational programs to assist them, as well as their families and carers.

“For example, our in-home support services can assist older community members to remain active in the community. We provide practical support through encouragement and, when required, assistance to maintain and live independently.

“The services include domestic assistance, delivering meals, personal care, respite care and home maintenance.

“Brimbank recently consulted with the community and service providers on the draft Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021.  The aim of the plan is to encourage participation by older people in the community and remove barriers to social participation.

“The draft Age Friendly City Plan is designed to articulate Council’s role and direction for supporting Brimbank’s ageing community and will provide a view of the social, physical, cultural and economic environment experienced by older people living in Brimbank.

“We’re also actively involved with, and supported by, the Brimbank Active Seniors Network and Council of the Ageing (COTA) Victoria which is the peak consumer body for older people,” Cr Hedditch said.