As reported by about regional, Bega Valley Shire Council has announced that it will stop providing ageing and disability services.
The Council has been a key provider of such services for many years, servicing a region that according to the 2021 census has 36,000 residents. The Bega region on the NSW south coast was severely impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires.
Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick says that this move is not a reflection on the quality of the services or the dedication of the staff, who have consistently put clients’ needs first. He acknowledged the difficulty of the transition for clients and assured them that staff would support them through the process.
“We started providing these services many years ago when there were limited other providers out there. We filled a gap, and we filled it well, However, the market has changed since then and there are now many other options available to support our community.”
Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick
The Council aims to ensure a smooth handover to other service providers and will assist clients in finding new arrangements that best suit their needs.
The Council’s services, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Commonwealth Home Support Programme, and Brighter Futures, will be transitioned to other providers. This strategic shift is intended to leverage the broader market of service providers now available to the community
