As some may be aware, our office has been running the Be: Noosa Connect-SCUH Transport Pilot which aims to assist those in our community that have no other means to attend medical appointments and are left stranded by our system. Following this pilot and years of advocacy, it is wonderful news that the government has allocated funding in this year’s budget towards community transport to address the gaps we have identified.
The new Community Transport Program supports people who have trouble accessing transport options to get around their local community. You may be eligible for the program if you:
- are under 65 years of age
- have no or limited access to other transport options, including public or private transport or transport funded through other funded/subsidised schemes
- are an unpaid carer, travelling in your role as a carer
- are not receiving transport services for the same or similar purpose under another government program, for example the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS), Commonwealth Aged Care Programs (including CHSP and Aged Care Packages), or Queensland Health Patient Transport Services.
The transport providers for the Noosa region are Anglicare and Be: Associated Limited. You can find more information on service providers at https://www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/community-home-care-services/community-transport-program
For more information on the program, please visit https://www.chde.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/community-transport-program