GANNAWARRA Council has been announced as a finalist in the 2022 Premier’s Sustainability Award, with its National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) nominated.
The service, which council has been providing since January 2019, is a finalist in the Industry Leader category for the Healthy and Fair Society title.
“It is an honour for council to be recognised for providing NDIS services to our small rural community,” council community care manager Carole Wandin said.
“We are renowned in the Mallee region as a leader in the NDIS sector, and we are proud to be the only Victorian rural or regional council to be an approved NDIS provider.”
Since its implementation, council’s NDIS support has grown to assist 124 participants living in the Gannawarra and created an extra 49 community-based jobs and two administration jobs.
Council’s NDIS support also complements key programs such as its Social Meals and the Gannawarra Non-Emergency Transport Service in providing important connections to the community.
“Providing NDIS services is ensuring participants and their family members are able to enjoy improved quality of life, as well as personal growth and development without having to leave the Gannawarra,” Mrs Wandin said.
“Being an approved NDIS provider has also provided positive flow-on benefits to staff, with the service generating an extra 49 community-based jobs and two administration jobs.”
Category winners will be announced during a ceremony at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday, September 20.
Gannawarra is one of four councils – the only small rural council – recognised as finalists in these awards open to businesses, community groups and government agencies across Victoria.
