An Additional $28 Million to help NSW Residents remain Independent, in their Homes and in their Communities
An extra $28 million for Home and Community Care services in New South Wales was announced on 31 May.
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Previous MinistersJoint Release
The Hon Justine Elliot MP
Minister for Ageing
Peter Primrose
New South Wales Minister for Ageing and Disability Services
31 May 2010 Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot and New South Wales Minister for Ageing and Disability Services Peter Primrose today announced more than $28 million for Home and Community Care (HACC) services in New South Wales.
Minister Elliot and Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly visited Queanbeyan City Council which will receive more than $5,000 to purchase a trailer and towbar to improve its community transport service.
Services in the Southern Highland and Riverina Murray planning regions, which covers parts of the Eden-Monaro electorate, will receive $872,000.
HACC is a joint Australian and NSW Government initiative that delivers affordable and accessible community care to help meet the individual needs of older people, people with a disability and their carers. It includes help with household chores, home maintenance and modification, transport, meals, personal care, allied health and nursing care.
Minister Elliot said: “This funding will deliver the practical support and assistance that allow older people and people with disabilities to remain independent, in their own homes and communities, close to friends and family for as long as they can.
“This funding will help many people stay at home rather than move prematurely into residential care.”
Minister Primrose said that more than 233,000 people in New South Wales had benefited from home and community care services last financial year.
“The funding will be spent on new HACC services and for the continuation and expansion of existing services such as transport, home modifications and maintenance and meals delivery,” Mr Primrose said.
“While we need to remember that it’s good news that people are living longer and healthier lives, we also need to plan for the challenges that come with it.
“These services are a great example of how we can make a big improvement to the lives of many people in our community who need help with everyday living,” Minister Primrose said.
The Rudd Government is contributing around $16.83 million and the New South Wales Government is contributing almost $11.29 million in funding for this $28.12 million package, taking the total 2009-10 annual investment in HACC services in the state to more than $586.85 million – an increase of more than seven per cent on last year.
Member for Eden- Monaro Mike Kelly said: “I am delighted that the electorate of Eden-Monaro will receive funding for these important services.
“Our community like the rest of Australia is facing the challenges of an ageing population and this funding will make a real difference to people living in our area.
“These services offer practical assistance to people in our region who really need them,” Mr Kelly said
The funding to boost HACC services in New South Wales includes an additional:
- 42,000 hours of domestic assistance services;
- 197,000 hours of centre-based day care services;
- 30,500 hours of personal cares services; and
- 87,000 hours of social support.
In 2009-10 the HACC program will receive $1.9 billion in funding nationally, with almost $1.2 billion of this contributed by the Rudd Government.
* Please note that individual service providers may not be located in the region but do provide services to it and other areas.
For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280
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