Outraged clients and carers will continue to pressure Melton council to reverse its decision to close aged-care and disability provider Melbacc.
Affected families flocked to the council meeting last Tuesday to ask community services general manager Maurie Heaney about the respite service’s future.
Some said they were shocked by the response and the lack of answers to some questions.
“The answers weren’t very validating or fulfilling,” said Diane Eaton, whose son Luke uses the service.
“They were inaccurate and contradicting themselves.”
Mr Heaney told last month’s council meeting the centre cost $220,000 a year to run, but fewer people were using it.
“But on Tuesday, he said [running the centre] was more than that,” Ms Eaton said. “His answers were contradictory.”
Monica Benney said the future for her brother Leslie Raines, 50, who has been using Melbacc for 20 years, wouldn’t be good if the centre closed.
“No respite means Leslie has no time away from us; he doesn’t have an identity away from the family,” Ms Benney said.
“The extra burden of having Leslie here all the time could put his living with us at risk.”
Ms Benney said she was outraged by the council’s unwavering decision to close down a vital service, despite the objections.
“I was hoping at the council meeting, because of the number of people who were there [opposing the closure] and the objections, that council would have reconsidered their decision,” she said.
“But [Mr Heaney] stopped answering our questions.”
Ms Benney alleges the family requested accommodation at Melbacc for Mr Raines on Saturday, December 6, but were told there were no beds available.
“Why say there’s no capacity when you’re shutting down because usage has dwindled?” she said.
Star Weekly contacted Melton council, which did not respond.
