Community Transport Service

Council is working with Gateway BEET to provide the Hopetoun and district residents with community transport as an interim measure before the Royal Flying Doctor Service collaboration extends to Hopetoun in the future. The service will be made available to residents aged over 65 years with My Aged Care eligibility.

To be able to access transport from Yarriambiack Shire you will need to have had an assessment from My Aged Care who can create a valid referral. 

Many already have had an assessment from My Aged Care and have services such as domestic support or meals in place. If you have already completed a My Aged Care assessment you can book your community transport in three easy steps:

1. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and tell them you would like transport added to your referrals

2. You will get a call a week or so later from the assessor who will chat to you about transport and anything else you may need and do the transport referral for you.

3. Call Gateway BEET on 0350833001 to book your transport

If you have never had an assessment from My Aged care, you will need to complete the assessment process prior to accessing the community transport services.

1. You need to call them on the number above
2. Request transport
3. You will then get a call from an assessor who will come to your home and have a chat about your needs and organize the referral for you.
4. Call Gateway BEET on (03) 5083 3001 to book your transport once you have your transport referral

Please keep in mind that the earlier you book to give Gateway BEET sufficient time to book vehicles and volunteers.  

An online form for community members who would like to assist by joining Council as a Volunteer Driver can be accessed here.

It is anticipated that the Royal Flying Doctor Service expansion to Hopetoun will commence in 2023. For more information, please contact Council on (03) 5398 0100 or info@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au. 

Volunteer Driver Information

FLYING DOCTOR COMMUNITY TRANSPORT EXPANDS TO WARRACKNABEAL!

Earlier this year, Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Victoria announced that it will be expanding its Community Transport service into eight new sites across Victoria. Following extensive research and community consultation, RFDS Victoria is pleased to confirm a new partnership with Yarriambiack Shire Council to bring the Flying Doctor Community Transport service to the community of Warracknabeal and surrounds. Flying Doctor Community Transport has been successfully operating in Heathcote since 2018, and in Rochester since 2021. The free service offers eligible community members transportation to health appointments and social group activities, utilising a team of highly trained volunteer drivers from within the local community. This service expansion is supported by Western Victoria Primary Health Network, Murray Primary Health Network and Gippsland Primary Health Network under the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.

RFDS Victoria will also be working closely with Rural Northwest Health (RNH), who have endorsed the service. “Flying Doctor Community Transport is a community-based service that aims to ensure better physical health, better mental health and better social connection for all rural Victorians,” says Jocelyn Syme, Health Service Manager for RFDS Victoria. “The service has been whole-heartedly embraced by the communities of Heathcote and Rochester, and we hope the service will be welcomed in the same way by the people of Warracknabeal and its surrounding towns.” Warracknabeal will now join Numurkah as the first two new Community Transport sites to be developed as part of this program expansion. To find out more about Flying Doctor Community Transport and this new partnership with Yarriambiack Shire Council, please call 1300 887 678 or email communitytransport@rfdsvic.com.au. More information will be shared as the service commences over the next few months.

Find out more