It was gathered by the Australian Services Union, which represents the council workers who provide home help such as showering and cleaning for the elderly.

Its presentation at Tuesday night’s council meeting at Beechworth coincided with a protest by clients, workers and families affected by the move to transfer home care to a federal government-appointed provider.

A group of about 25 packed the gallery with some lighting their faces with torches to stress they did not want to be left in the dark by the shire.

Barnawartha’s Tenniell Evans and the Australian Services Union’s Martin McDonald quizzed mayor Jenny O’Connor.

Their concerns centred on consultation and the fallout of the decision on clients and workers.

Cr O’Connor said the shire was mindful it was a “difficult time” for all involved but said clients would not suffer when services switch from the council to the new operator on July 1.

“There will be no change to service delivery, if you have been receiving the service to date you will continue to receive that service,” she said. 

The shire has confidentially recommended a preferred provider to the government and Cr O’Connor said they had given a commitment to re-employ existing staff.

Following the petition’s tabling, new council chief executive Trevor Ierino said he would provide a response to it at next month’s meeting.

“We urge councillors not to exit home care services prematurely and to canvass in a more extensive way the views of local residents,” the petition read in part.

Mr McDonald told The Border Mail before the meeting that his members faced lower pay, no travel allowance for using their cars and less union protection from a private employer.

Home care staff Helen O’Keefe and Mary Leach said vulnerable clients had been left shocked and angry at the shire’s handling of the change.