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Noweyung respite centre a step closer
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Noweyung respite centre a step closer

East Gippslanders will be closer to having a disability respite service in their community if a Liberal Nationals Government is elected next week.
 
The Nationals Member for Gippsland East and Shadow Minister for Disability, Tim Bull, today announced the Liberal Nationals would launch a $5 million fund to help build new – and expand existing – facilities, partnering with disability service providers to enable $10m of investment in the sector.
 
“This is a big announcement for East Gippsland, particularly with Noweyung seeking to build a respite facility here locally, a project I am very keen to see occur,” Mr Bull said.
 
“This new funding stream will really open the door on this project commencing,” he said.
 
Noweyung Chief Executive Officer Mike Amor said there was high demand for a respite service in East Gippsland, along with much of regional and rural Victoria.
 
“Having provided services to the East Gippsland community since 1954, we now want to expand and offer respite, but due to expensive start-up costs this has not been possible,” Mr Amor said.
 
“We commend Tim and the Liberal Nationals for taking a lead on this and putting forward such a commitment.”
 
Mr Bull said the lack of facilities was causing enormous stress and pressure on family members who just want to be able to take a break knowing their loved one is being cared for appropriately.
 
“Carers provide critical support for Victorians with a disability and they deserve our support too,” he said.
 
“Many disability service providers struggle to afford the capital costs of building new facilities or expanding existing centres. This fund will break down these barriers to grow the number of respite services.
 
“Only the Liberal Nationals will care for our carers.”
 
Almost one in five Australians are living with disability and those who care for them also need a high level of support.
 
Placement in respite centres has traditionally been funded out of Individual Support Packages, which currently are being transitioned to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
 
Caption: Local Nationals MP and Shadow Minister for Disability Tim Bull, with Noweyung Life Members John and Liz Hansen, CEO Mike Amor and parents Shane and Linda Pendergast at this morning’s announcement a Liberal Nationals Government will establish a $5 million state-wide fund to build new, and expand existing, disability respite centres.
 
Wednesday, November 14, 2018