Families across Far North Queensland are grappling with devastating news following the announcement that a long-standing supported-employment program in Mareeba will cease operations. Mareeba Business Solutions (MBS), a service dedicated to finding meaningful work for almost 20 individuals with special needs, is slated to close its doors on July 31.

The impending closure, announced by national disability service provider Endeavour Foundation, has not only sparked profound concern among participants and their families but has also ignited anger within the local community, particularly from a prominent service club that helped establish the facility decades ago and now fears its potential sale.

A Legacy of Support Under Threat

Mareeba Business Solutions has been a cornerstone of local support for individuals with disabilities since its inception as a fruit and vegetable farm in the 1980s. Over the years, it expanded its scope to include various manufacturing industries, offering diverse employment opportunities. Employees at MBS engage in a wide array of tasks, from sorting lychees and grading coffee beans to refurbishing water sprinklers, recycling mattress components, and processing document-destruction bins. This practical work provides not just income but a crucial sense of purpose and contribution to its participants.

The Endeavour Foundation attributes the closure to significant financial challenges, citing difficulties in securing adequate funding from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and a sharp decline in commercial contracts. The organisation revealed that it could no longer sustain losses, which reportedly exceeded $200,000 in the last financial year alone.

Devastating Impact on Families

For families like Jo Thistle, whose children Nathan, 36, and Chloe, 33, have been in supported employment at MBS three days a week, the news is heartbreaking. "They love going to work. They feel like they're contributing," Ms. Thistle shared, emphasising the invaluable benefit of an environment where her children are treated as equals. She highlighted that mainstream opportunities often exclude them due to processing differences or pace, making MBS a vital inclusive space.

Ms. Thistle also voiced strong criticism regarding the NDIA system, suggesting that recent changes have complicated operations for providers. "The amount of paperwork, all the hoops you have to jump through, the whole system is just structured so wrong," she lamented. Her daughter, Chloe, was deeply affected by the announcement. "I had a meltdown after the meeting," Chloe shared, expressing widespread shock among employees. "I don't think anyone was expecting it at all. It came… a bit of a shock."

Another participant, Daniel Crunkhorn, who works two days a week on the farm and an additional day stripping old mattresses, also faces an uncertain future. His father, Bruce, stressed the importance of the work for Daniel’s self-esteem. "He values going to work and that's what he wants to do," Mr. Crunkhorn stated, reflecting the sentiments of many parents who see their children thrive in this supported environment.

Community Rallies to Protect Legacy

The Mareeba Lions Club, which played a pivotal role in funding the construction of The Endeavour Farm in the early 1980s, has expressed outrage over the closure. Club representatives say they were never consulted about the decision and fear the Mareeba site could be sold, effectively stripping the community of a facility it helped build and nurture. The club has vowed to challenge the Endeavour Foundation's decision.

Dennis McKinley, a two-time Mareeba Lions president, highlighted the decades of community involvement and financial investment in the facility. He insists that any funds generated from a potential sale should be reinvested locally to benefit the community, particularly its most vulnerable members. Mr. McKinley questioned the Endeavour Foundation's efforts to secure local contracts, especially in an area where local farms frequently face staff shortages and rely on overseas workers. "The community should fight it to the death," he declared.

Seeking Solutions and Reform

Kirrily Boulton from the Endeavour Foundation acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, describing staff conversations with participants as "absolutely heartbreaking." She affirmed an openness to discussions with local businesses and all levels of government to explore options for contracting social enterprises that could continue to offer work to participants. Ms. Boulton conceded that the organisation "potentially, could have been more commercially savvy" in securing contracts, and pointed to "extremely complex" NDIA funding agreements as unfavourable for supported employment models, particularly for charities operating in regional towns.

Mareeba Shire Council Mayor Angela Toppin echoed the widespread disappointment but confirmed the council is actively exploring future options for the program's participants. "It really does disappoint me, but Endeavour Foundation assures me the facility has become economically unviable," Mayor Toppin stated.

Labor Senator for Far North Queensland, Nita Green, has committed to reaching out to stakeholders and highlighted that the federal government is focused on reforming the NDIA to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness, especially for individuals in regional areas. A spokesperson for the NDIA reiterated the agency's recognition of the value of supported employment for fostering opportunity, independence, and inclusion. They confirmed that the NDIA is working with the provider, participants, and relevant stakeholders to facilitate transitions to other services.

As the July 31 closure date looms, the Mareeba community remains resolute in its determination to find a solution, ensuring that vital services for its residents with disabilities are not lost forever.