Wanaka's only resident social worker has been made redundant because of a lack of funding.
Gaye Thompson was employed 20 hours a week by the Alpine Community Development Trust - through its Community Networks structure - and funded through the Ministry of Social Development community response fund.
Networks manager Kate Murray said yesterday funding from that source ended in August, and in October trustees decided there was no short-term solution to the shortfall in funding. Ms Thompson's departure after six years was a great loss to the Wanaka community, Ms Murray said.
''It is hugely disappointing for the trustees to make a staff member redundant.''
''As an integral and contributing team member she will leave a considerable gap in the organisation and community.''
Funding issues had also led to a 10-hour-a-week social worker leaving at the end of August.
Those who needed the help of a social worker would be referred to other organisations, where possible, but some would have to be told particular services were no longer available, Ms Murray said.
The trust would now take a ''project-based'' approach to social work provision and use short-term contracts while it decided how to provide social work services next year, Ms Murray said.
Community Networks would continue with its other community services, including its food bank.
