THE future of Frankston Council’s in-home services for elderly residents is under review.
In February, Frankston Council began community consultation on the future direction of its aged care services. In June it released its final report, which overwhelmingly showed that clients and staff preferred no change to the current system.
Of 957 respondents, 588 said that council should “provide all community care services using council employees” and a further 118 said “council should provide services where there is/expected to be limited new providers (fill gaps in services only)”. 152 people said that council should “provide information about available services and how to get help”, and just 17 people said “council should cease providing community care and allow other organisations to provide a similar service.”
Last week the Australian Services Union claimed that council is discussing ceasing its in-home support services. Australian Services Union branch secretary Tash Wark said that cutting the service would “lead to chronic understaffing and ultimately the neglect of vulnerable older residents.”
“Council asked their clients whether they should continue providing all community care services using council employees, and the responses was an almost unanimous yes,” Wark said. “We can’t understand how councillors could contemplate moving away from this functioning model. Why would they ask their community what they think, and then ignore their response?”
When asked if Frankston Council is considering discontinuing or scaling back its in-home support services to elderly residents, Frankston mayor Kris Bolam said “like more than 60 other Victorian councils, Frankston City is undertaking a review of its community care services provision.”
“The review involves careful consideration of upcoming aged care reforms, and extensive consultation with clients, staff and the broader community. A formal decision will be announced in late October or early November, and it’s important we allow the review process to conclude before making any further comment,” Bolam said.
The ASU says that Frankston Council staff have shared with the union their concerns about the potential changes being discussed. Branch secretary Wark said “we have seen in other councils, such as Monash and City of Greater Geelong, that when councils sit down with the department, there are targeted supports available to encourage them to maintain these services. We don’t believe this has happened at Frankston Council. If not, they would be making this risky decision without all the relevant information.”
Cr Bolam said that community members with queries about their services should email CommunityCareConnect@frankston.vic.gov.au or call 9784 1933 to discuss them.
First published in the Frankston Times – 16 September 2025