MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is set to reconsider whether it will continue delivering aged care services after July 2027.
This comes following the federal government’s decision to extend the Commonwealth Home Support Program to 2029.
In June, the shire made the decision to stop delivering Commonwealth-funded aged care services by July 2027. The three services affected were Meals on Wheels, Community Transport, and Group Social Support.
At the 29 September council meeting, the shire will consider three options: following through with the plan to exit the delivery of the three services by July 2027, maintaining delivery of the three services until 2029, or only maintaining Meals on Wheels until 2029.
Mayor Stephen Batty said the announcement from the federal government to postpone reforms to the Commonwealth Support Program had taken the community by surprise.
“Council made its decision to exit the program in good faith, after a detailed examination of the aged care reforms found the Shire could not meet the new requirements,” said Batty.
“The Federal Government’s change of tack is significant, and we owe it to our community to reconsider this matter before any further decisions are made.”
Batty said the shire knows the services are highly valued by their clients, their families, and the volunteers.
Members of the community have been protesting the shire’s decision to stop Meals on Wheels, saying the community relies on the service, and the shire should continue to deliver it (Community calls for council to continue Meals on Wheels, The News, 23/09/26).
The three services will continue operating while the shire considers the three options, and any clients will be kept informed as to any decisions affecting future delivery.
First published in the Mornington News – 29 September 2026
