Central Otago Mayor Malcolm Macpherson yesterday said Roxburgh Health Camp would close "over my dead body".
As reported in yesterday's Otago Daily Times, the 67-year-old health camp - which employs about 45 people and is used year-round - is in danger of closure because of a $5 million national funding shortfall for health camps.
The present level of funding was not enough to attract skilled staff and that meant closing Roxburgh Health Camp was a reality if an agreement could not be reached with the Ministry of Social Development before a board meeting next Thursday, the camp's chief executive Fiona Inkpen confirmed yesterday.
And even if Roxburgh did remain open, the long-term strategic plan was to move the service closer to Dunedin to gain easier access to medical and health services.
It would also be easier for families to access the camp if it was closer to the city, Dr Inkpen said. Dr Macpherson said the camp was an important asset to the district, especially the Teviot Valley.
"We would dearly love to keep it and if it is in threat, then the least we can do is stand up for it," he said.
He doubted the Central Otago District Council would fund the camp directly to keep it open.
"I'm almost 100% the council wouldn't consider that, but the [Roxburgh Community Board] may look at helping out. The council will look at it seriously though, and could put pressure on funders to make a strong case for it to stay," he said.
The Teviot Valley needed the camp to employ skilled people in the area, who would otherwise be hard-pressed to find jobs close to home, Dr Macpherson said.
"What really concerns me is the foundation will use this apparent funding crisis to move forward its closure plans for Roxburgh," he said.
Roxburgh Community Board chairman Stephen Jeffery was "gutted" at the news.
"The camp is the largest employer in Roxburgh. I can't believe it. Someone sitting somewhere has decided something without any thought of what that decision means. This is really really bad news for Roxburgh," he said.
Moving the camp nearer to Dunedin was "ridiculous".
"The health camp was put here because of the climate, the good, clean air and the good clean environment for kids to recuperate in. The extra distance [between Roxburgh and Dunedin] is irrelevant," Mr Jeffery said.
Central Otago District councillor representing the Roxburgh ward John Lane said the camp was "an integral part of the community".
He and his wife Raewyn believed the health camp management structure had been in upheaval for some time.
He hoped the election campaign would provide an opportunity to have funding reviewed.
National Party welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins yesterday said it "will not let this facility fold" if it wins the election on November 8, NZPA reported.
Mrs Lane said she had been told of several children who had major positive changes in their behaviour after spending five weeks at the camp.
The camp has in the past been able to cater for up to 70 children at a time.
Leadersstand upfor camp> From Page 1However, numbers of children attending the camp have dropped off in recent years, with recent intakes of as few as 18 children.
Dr Inkpen said changes in the way the health camps had operated since 2001 meant many of those in need of intervention were dealt with as a family unit in their own community.
Funding now paid for 21 beds for children in the camp, and for 42 families to be worked with in the community.
"There are a number of cases where we can't just do a five-week wonder. It's all about engaging with families for the long term," Dr Inkpen said.
Dr Inkpen is chief executive of Te Puna Whaiora Children's Health Services, which also runs camps at Rotorua, Otaki, Whangarei, Pakuranga, Gisborne and Christchurch.
The camps at Rotorua and Otaki are also in danger of closing.
Children's Health Services has been told it will receive an increase of only $414,000 this coming financial year - just 3.4% of the extra $5 million needed on top of the camps' existing annual $12.2 million contract with the ministry.
