UPDATE 12.50pm: Council made the unanimous decision to reverse its original HACC decision after it received a petition with 2588 signatures, 123 phone calls and emails, 46 letters and countless calls to councillors, Mayor Peter Cox said.

Ninety-seven per cent of these contacts opposed the original decision.

The motion passed after Wednesday night's council meeting included five points.

Among them was a target of making HACC service operations "cost neutral" before funding changeover from state to Commonwealth governments in 2018.

To achieve this, Cr Cox said council will engage with staff, the Australian Services Union, investigate a new fee structure and find administration efficiencies.

The City of Greater Bendigo will compile a report in the next six weeks.

The council will also conduct annual reviews of the operation of HACC services and investigate an alternative to Meals on Wheels.

Cr Cox said alternatives could include using various community groups or other organisations to deliver the service.

He said the changes would not impact a "business as usual" approach to the next three years.

The council will consider its options in December 2017 once a review is completed, ahead of the funding changeover from June 2018.

UPDATE 11.50am: Former Bendigo mayor Julie Rivendell has welcomed the news the City of Greater Bendigo has voted to continue to deliver Home and Community Care services.

"I’m really pleased with the decision, I’m pleased the council have demonstrated a commitment to ongoing care and support of the most vulnerable and needy in our community," she said.

"I think it demonstrates care and compassion and it’s a good outcome for clients, staff, community and ratepayers."

She said she was aware there had been a lot of feedback from the community in the lead up to the decision and lots of discussion at councillor forums.

"I knew many councillors had put in quite a lot of time and effort to understand the issues and we can’t ask for more than that from our councillors," she said.

"I understand this is one of a number of difficult decisions they have to make. 

"I congratulate them for making the right decision."

UPDATE 11am: The City of Greater Bendigo has released a statement in regards to reversing its HACC decision:

The City of Greater Bendigo has listened to the community and voted to continue to deliver Home and Community Care (HACC) services. 

Council has agreed to implement efficiencies with the aim of the services becoming cost neutral and fully funded by contributions from the State and Federal Governments and client fees. 

The efficiency measures and service changes proposed by staff and the Australian Services Union are expected to save the Council in the order of $750,000 per annum. 

Mayor Cr Peter Cox said Council’s decision meant it could continue to support Greater Bendigo’s most vulnerable residents. 

“This is an outcome that allows the City of Greater Bendigo to continue to provide this necessary support to our community,” Cr Cox said.  

“The main message from the consultation period was the City was a trusted and valued provider, so I thank the staff and the Australian Services Union for their willingness to renegotiate some conditions to allow for the services to continue.

“Council and City officers will advocate strongly with local parliamentarians in regards to future HACC funding. More financial support is needed if Council is to achieve its aims of cost neutrality. 

“It was not easy to have to consider a decision such as this, especially when it impacts a number of staff and residents, but it is important to balance the needs of the community with the business of operating an organisation.”

On February 11, 2015 the Council made the provisional decision to withdraw from the delivery of HACC services. The decision was informed by a range of factors including a review of the City’s Aged and Disability Services, the Independent Review of the City and introduction of the Caring for Older Australians national reform and National Disability Insurance Scheme, which are expected to impact the future delivery of HACC services. 

Council’s final decision follows extensive consultation with affected staff, clients, the community and the Australian Services Union. 

As part of this decision, Council will undertake another review of HACC services by December 2017. 

Council has also requested a report be complete within six months that investigates alternatives to the current Meals on Wheels service and considers alternative models for the delivery of Property Maintenance services. 

City Chief Executive Officer, Craig Niemann, thanked staff for their patience and professionalism. 

“I acknowledge the past few months would have been a distressing time for staff but I commend them for their continued dedication to their role and clients,” Mr Niemann said. 

“This process has never been a reflection on the standard of service staff have provided. We are very proud of staff and their work has always been of a high quality and highly valued, and the organisation looks forward to this continuing."

UPDATE 10.50am: THE Australian Services Union says all jobs will be saved and services retained for at least three years after the City of Greater Bendigo reversed its Home and Community Care decision.

Staff outside town hall are visibly delighted at the decision.

Council will hold a review in December 2017 before funding transfers to the Commonwealth in 2018.

ASU representative Billy King said it was a positive decision for Bendigo workers and those who relied on the care of HACC services.

EARLIER: BENDIGO council's final decision on whether the City of Greater Bendigo will withdraw from Home and Community Care services will be made public this morning. 

The final decision was reached during a confidential part of Bendigo council's meeting last night. 

About 160 HACC workers employed by the city potentially impacted by job losses are expected to learn of the decision first thing today. 

The city made a provisional decision to withdraw from the delivery of council-based HACC services in February, with a final decision originally set for a council meeting on March 25.

The date was extended by the City of Greater Bendigo following requests from the Australian Services Union for more consultation.

A decision to withdraw would see HACC services continue but outsourced to another provider from October this year.

Council has indicated this would most likely be a not-for-profit organisation but others, including federal, state and community leaders, have expressed concern about the quality of care should the council-based service cease.