Picture: SANDRA MORELLO
GRANT district elected members have raised concerns people living with disability have been left with few respite options following the closure of the Disability SA volunteer centre in Mount Gambier.
The closure of the Margaret Street facility has been described as a major blow for many families in the region.
The centre was mothballed as part of the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Grant District Mayor Richard Sage has been leading the vocal fight to have the centre reopened given what he claims is a widening gap in respite services.
Speaking at last week’s council meeting, Mr Sage said the closed service provided daytime respite for families.
“This allowed people to go and do some shopping and pay some bills. The volunteers assisted their loved ones at the centre and it was only $5 per day,” Mr Sage said.
He raised doubts a private operator would be able to provide a day of activities for $5.
The mayor warned there was a “big problem coming forward” in Mount Gambier given 50 clients attended the facility and more were on the waiting list.
Cr Gillian Clayfield also warned the closure of the centre would cause a major problem.
She said the centre was an option for young people who could not access work every day at places like Bedford and other companies with employees with disabilities.
“If we do not have the places for them, it will be all left up to the parents,” Cr Clayfield said.
“It is a huge task for the parents.”
She said the fact the centre could not meet demand indicated the major problem now facing the community.
“They could not take all the clients that wanted to go there, that was a problem even before they closed it.”
Cr Julie Reis warned the closure of the centre would fuel social issues and would have an impact on many people.
Council chief executive officer David Singe said the explanation being put forward was not convincing.
“I had a couple of discussions with staff … but having not been provided with a formal explanation, I would have to share the mayor’s concerns,” Mr Singe said.
“I think the public servants were in an awkward position because they are unsure about how the new scheme will work.”
Mr Singe foreshadowed the need to work with Mount Gambier City Council on the issue.
Speaking to The Border Watch yesterday, Cr Alan Hill said he fully supported the campaign to retain Disability SA services in Mount Gambier.
“I do not want to see any reduction in Disability SA services in Mount Gambier,” Cr Hill said.
In a letter to council, Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said Disability SA’s coordinated volunteer services had ceased as part of the transition to the NDIS.
“Participants can be funded for alternative day activities in their NDIC plans if deemed reasonable and necessary,” Ms Lensink said.
She said a key principle of the NDIS was people with disability had the same fundamental rights and opportunities as all members of society.
The NDIS focuses on community inclusion and capacity building.
“In relation to Disability SA clients, where the impact of cessation of volunteer support was evident, alternative supports have been implemented as part of the transition process,” Ms Lensink said.
“In relation to the volunteers, our Mount Gambier volunteer team members have been encouraged to continue volunteering – albeit in a different capacity – and have been provided with information about local opportunities to do so.”
She said former clients and volunteers planned to maintain their friendships through meeting regularly at social outings.
“I have been assured by local Disability SA staff that no issues have been raised, nor have they received any complaints from clients or their families about the closure of the Margaret Street volunteering facility,” the minister said.
“Please be assured the Disability SA office at 9 Elizabeth Street, Mount Gambier, remains open.”
