Mountain Views
Mail Covering the foothills of the Yarra Ranges & Murrindindi Shires
22 Tuesday, 7 November, 2017
Healesville races get underway
5
RAR groups lend their voices
A Mail News Group publication
21-22
Best in local sport
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Thousands throng at racecourse Punters travelled from far and wide, as well as locally, to get into the spirit of spring racing. The Healesville Amateur Racing Club hosted another hugely successful Derby Day event over the weekend, with thousands hitting the racecourse. Pictured is the Yarra Valley Tourism Network marquee, which was full of happy guests. See full picture gallery on page 22. 174725_02
Picture: GREG CARRICK
Hope for the NDIS Yarra Ranges is the latest Victorian region to undergo change in how disability services are accessed, with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rolling out in the area this month. Though only in the initial stages, the NDIS, which came into effect on Wednesday 1 November, aims to provide a more personal, “face-toface” support service for residents living with a permanent disability. NDIS providers in the Yarra Ranges have accepted there will be teething problems, particularly in the early months, but are confident the rollout will result in positive change. One of the major benefits is the choice offered to service-users, who will now have a greater say in how their allocated funds are used. Melba Support Services chief executive officer, Glenn Foard, said the NDIS would be worth the wait. “We’ve campaigned for it ... we recognised the present system wasn’t working as well as it should, so we’re very excited by the rollout,” Mr Foard said. “The NDIS gives more control to the individ-
ual, choice in how the funds allocated to them is used for their support. This is well overdue and will ensure individuals receive reasonable and necessary support. It represents a huge step forward.” Mr Foard said Melba and NDIS registered providers in the Yarra Ranges had been busy preparing service-users for the change, with many information sessions being conducted. He estimated it would take about six months for the initial transition phase to be completed. “Many individuals will be developing and preparing their first plan. So spreading information is crucial in the early rollout phase,” he said. “It will take a lot of work and time, but we are confident it will provide fundamental support.” Mr Foard added there are already successful case studies within the Yarra Ranges, due to early rollout initiatives. Jane Prentice, the Victorian Assistant Minister for Disability Services, said the roll-out of the NDIS in the Outer East region was an important milestone for people with a disability, their families, carers and the broader local community.
“The NDIS will also generate jobs and local investment, which will ensure people with disability have the assistance they need to help them achieve their goals,” Mrs Prentice said. “The NDIS is one of the largest social policy reforms in Australia’s history, it is already empowering more than 15,000 Victorians with disability, helping them to fulfil their goals and participate in community life.” By July 2019, it is estimated that 105,000 Victorians will have transitioned to the scheme. This includes 76,000 clients from the existing Victorian specialist disability and mainstream systems. The number of people living with disability receiving support in the Outer East Melbourne (Knox, Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges) area is expected to grow from 5700 to 7700 by 2019. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the independent agency responsible for implementing the NDIS. Other local service providers include the Ferntree Gully-based Knoxbrooke.
Meanwhile, Yarra Ranges Council will not be an NDIS provider, but will continue to provide the Home and Community Care (HACC) program, which provides domestic assistance, personal care, respite care, meals on wheels and other services, while State Government funding continues. For more information about HACC, visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/hacc. Visit www.ndis.gov.au or call 1800 800 110 to find out how people with disability, providers and the community can get NDIS ready, or call Latrobe Community Health on 1800 242 696. Melba Support Services will be holding an NDIS information session at its Lilydale office (40-50 Melba Avenue, Lilydale) at 6pm on Thursday 16 November. To register your interest in attending, or for more information, contact 9212 0100. Yarra Ranges residents are encouraged to visit the NDIS website www.ndis.gov.au to find out how to get NDIS ready.
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