Aged care report includes home care packages trial

A controversial $250,000 report into the future of aged care in Darebin includes 98 recommendations. And it’s silenced its biggest critics.

Darebin Council will trial a home care package partnership. (File picture)

A controversial report into the future of aged care in Darebin has been given the seal of approval by two of its loudest critics.

The big tick came as Monday’s council meeting also dealt with other important issues such as the new open space strategy, Penders Park masterplan and Bill Lawry Oval upgrade.

Darebin Council commissioned the $250,000 independent expert panel of two in May last year to provide a report on creating an “age friendly Darebin”.

Dr Rhonda Galbally and Peter Allen released the 192-page report to the council and included 98 recommendations.

Dr Rhonda Galbally worked with Peter Allen on the aged care report.

Recommendations included a system to help older people navigate My Aged Care, a volunteer gardening service and the trial of a council-provided aged care package.

Northcote aged care researcher Dr Sarah Russell said she had been critical of the independent panel but was “extremely pleased” with the final report.

The council has committed to providing their current aged care services for as long as the federal funding agreement remains, which has been extended to 2022.

Robin Vote convened the Does Council Care group to advocate for the council to remain an aged care provider, and said she was “very pleased” with the report.

The ageing Bill Lawry Oval pavilion will receive an upgrade.

Councillors also approved the Darebin Open Space Strategy to go out for public consultation.

The strategy will guide the council’s approach to public open space for the next 10 years, including the goal of having all residents within 500m of open space.

The Penders Park draft masterplan will also head out to the community for consultation.

It includes plans for a multigenerational play space, a dog play area and a fire pit for indigenous ceremonies and events.

Cr Trent McCarthy said the community input from the project’s control group was “mind-blowing” and beyond anything he’d ever seen.

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“The project control group had been meeting pretty much fortnightly for the last couple of years,” he said.

Other council matters included:

THE Bill Lawry Oval pavilion upgrade was awarded to 2 Construct Pty Ltd for $1.34 million.

THE GE Robinson Park pavilion upgrade was awarded to Eastern Property Services for $740,132

@richardapearce