UnitingCare Ballarat has said a head office move could put BreezeWay and Lifeline Ballarat at risk.
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UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania has proposed to remove the existing Commission for Mission that reports to the Synod and replace it with a board.
In a statement UnitingCare Ballarat chairman Brian Collins said they were concerned locally-funded programs could be cut.
“The amalgamation proposal contains a number of inherent risks which we don’t believe have been properly evaluated, particularly those involved with the potential loss of our local voice,” he said.
“For the community of Ballarat, one of the most pressing concerns will be the impact the amalgamation is likely to have on local service delivery.”
“Locally funded programs like BreezeWay, which provides upwards of 65 hot meals each day of the year to the most marginalised members of our community, will be at risk as a new Melbourne-based management inevitably and necessarily focuses on core, government-funded programs.”
While a decision on the commission was supposed to be made on Tuesday, Mr Collins said their pressure had convinced Uniting Church leaders to reconsider.
They will listen to UnitingCare Ballarat and two Melbourne branches on the weekend before making a decision, Mr Collins said on Friday.
“We remain concerned about the amalgamation proposal but are pleased to be able to tell you that, since our media release, discussions with the Church have continued and we now have the opportunity to share our concerns with key decision makers in the Church this weekend,” he said.
“Ultimately our concerns are for the people UnitingCare Ballarat exists to serve and we will continue to do our best to ensure that the services we offer to our local community do not suffer as a result of any change to the structure of the UnitingCare network.”
UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania did not respond to a request to comment on the changes.