Macedon Ranges health service avoids cash crisis, for now

The future of emergency relief in the Macedon Ranges has been extended a federal lifeline, but service providers say it’s nowhere near enough.

Emergency relief services through Cobaw Community Health have been given a lifeline.

The future of emergency relief in the Macedon Ranges has been given a federal lifeline, but service providers say it’s nowhere near enough.

Cobaw Community Health was advised last week that an emergency relief grant application had been unsuccessful, leaving services unclear after January 1.

The fund has provided food, petrol and clothing vouchers, and assisted in paying household bills for individuals and families in the Macedon Ranges for more than 14 years.

However, the Federal Government later announced any community organisation which had applied for Commonwealth emergency relief funding in 2018 would have it extended for another year.

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Cobaw chief executive Margaret McDonald described her “disbelief” and “absolute frustration” when she found out the service had been knocked back for three years of funding.

“The mainstay of emergency relief has been a $60,000 grant from the Department of Social Services,” she said.

“The first thing I did was tell our staff, then I got on the phone with Lisa (Chesters)”.

Families and Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher said the extension supported more than 100 organisations Australia-wide.

“These organisations deliver vital support to vulnerable Australians in our community and it’s important they are given certainty to plan ahead,” he said.

“People accessing emergency relief typically have low or no income, making them vulnerable to financial shock such as unexpected expenses. Others need support as the result of an unforeseen or life changing event such as illness or family violence.”

Cobaw’s sites at Woodend, Romsey and Kyneton also offer referrals to other services like counselling and housing.

McEwan Federal Labor MP Rob Mitchell said the move was unacceptable.

“We had people as far as Kinglake being told they’d have to go to Bendigo. How are you meant to do that?” he said.

“How do you picking on the most vulnerable people in society?”

Bendigo federal Labor MP Lisa Chesters said the 12-month commitment meant Cobaw’s ability to provide the service long term was unclear. “Today we start the campaign for what happens next. Another thing is it’s just a rollover, it’s not an expansion (of funding) to meet the need,” she said.

Ms McDonald said increased cost of living and growing demand showed an increase in funding was needed.

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