Another local council is set to end its aged care and disability services, with Moorabool Shire in Victoria’s Central Highlands citing Federal Government policy as the reason for its exit.

The Council, which includes towns such as Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Darley, and is located approximately 45km west of Melbourne, voted to withdraw from aged and disability services as of 1 July 2022.

In its decision, Council said Federal Government reforms arising from the Royal Commission “made it clear that local government does not have a meaningful role to play in the future delivery of aged care services”.

Moorabool will exit all funded Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) services as well as Regional Assessment Services, with mayor Cr Tom Sullivan calling it a “difficult decision”.

“Our priorities are the residents of Moorabool who use or may require aged care and disability services and making sure they continue to receive the same level of service they are currently receiving under Council’s programs, noting that these service providers can provide a suite of services outside of Council’s capacity to ensure older community members are supported.

“With our aged care and disability clients in mind, Council has undertaken a confidential expression of interest process looking at values-aligned successors,” he said, adding that Council will discuss the matter with the 38 staff who will be affected.

Moorabool’s move follows similar withdrawals by councils such as Mildura in Victoria’s northwest, while Kiama Municipal Council on the NSW South Coast has conceded its $106 million Blue Haven Bonaira aged care business is “not financially viable”.