Looking to expand its community transportation services to meet the needs of all vulnerable residents, Brimbank council is encouraging locals to respond to an essential survey before it ends on April 4.
In June 2024, council decided to divest from the commonwealth and state government funded aged care and disability service in favour of delivering a broader range of options that “better support” Brimbank’s senior and disabled population.
As part of that transition, the council said it would continue to provide appropriate community transport services.
It is now exploring opportunities to broaden the service’s impact through a new survey.
The questionnaire will ask respondents to detail their travel frequency, if the current service is meeting their needs, and the locations they would like assistance getting to.
Questions will also cover the importance of factors such as accessibility, environmental impact and safety for people when choosing a transport service.
“We understand that community transport is an important service in Brimbank and we are exploring how we might improve [that],” mayor Thuy Dang said.
“That’s why we’re asking the community to tell us more about how and why they could use this council service.
“The results of this survey will inform future plans and improve the way we deliver community transport.”
Brimbank council currently provides a limited range of transport options to assist senior community members to access services and programs.
It normally transports people to social community groups and also assists them with shopping trips to Sunshine Marketplace, the Keilor Downs Plaza and the Watergardens Shopping Centre.
After receiving feedback from the survey, council will broaden the scope of the service to potentially include other residents and locations — ensuring that community members who might experience barriers to attendance are better supported.
This will also consider options for groups experiencing transport disadvantage across different life stages.
Residents can provide their anonymous feedback by completing the survey online or by contacting the council directly.
Details: yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au/community-transport
