Glen Innes Severn Council is proposing an expansion of its Access Bus service in a bid to improve transport options for older residents living in the villages of Deepwater, Emmaville, Glencoe and Red Range.
Currently operated through Council’s Life Choices – Support Services (LC-SS) program under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), the Access Bus provides eligible residents in Glen Innes with regular transport to essential services and community activities.
Feedback from recent community engagement, including the 2024 Glen Innes Severn Council Aged Care and Disability Community Consultation Feedback Report and discussions facilitated through Transport for NSW forums, identified limited transport as a key barrier for older residents in rural areas. Many seniors reported difficulties in accessing healthcare, shopping and social events due to a lack of available transport.
In response, Council is planning to expand the Access Bus service to include scheduled trips from Deepwater, Emmaville, Glencoe and Red Range into Glen Innes. The proposed service would be available to those eligible under the CHSP — specifically, individuals aged 65 and over, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — who have a transport referral through the Australian Government’s My Aged Care (MAC) system.
Mayor Cr Margot Davis said, “This initiative aligns with Council’s current Operational Plan which focuses on improving transport services and sharing information about available options for people of all abilities across the Local Government Area (LGA). Life Choices already operates weekly group outings and CBD access services, providing a strong foundation for this expansion.”
“The extended Access Bus service is expected to support social inclusion and independence by enabling seniors in outlying villages to attend medical appointments, participate in community life, and complete everyday tasks. It will also create opportunities for staff to assist passengers with My Aged Care referrals and raise awareness about available support services,” the Mayor said.
To support the rollout and keep the community informed, LC-SS is holding a series of information sessions across the LGA. A session has already taken place at Glencoe Hall, with additional sessions scheduled at:
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Red Range Hall – today, from 10:30am to 1:00pm
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Deepwater School of Arts Hall – 2 June, from 1:30pm to 4:00pm
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Emmaville War Memorial Hall – 6 June, from 10:30am to 1:00pm
These sessions will provide residents with details about the proposed transport services, assistance with My Aged Care referrals, and the opportunity to speak directly with LC-SS staff.
Mayor Davis concluded, “This is great news for our village residents to support healthcare access and ensure the wellbeing of our community no matter where they are in the region. A proactive approach to assisting the community and I thank all of the staff at Life Choices for their continued commitment to the people of Glen Innes Severn.”
