VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT SUBMISSION TO THE

VICTORIAN PALIAMENTARY RURAL AND REGIONAL COMMITTEE’S

INQUIRY INTO THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF DISADVANTAGE AND

INEQUITY IN RURAL AND REGIONAL VICTORIA

APRIL 2010

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Contents 1. Introduction............................................................................................................3 2. Regional Victoria at a Glance ................................................................................4 3. Understanding Disadvantage .................................................................................5 4. Measuring Disadvantage........................................................................................7 5. Victorian Government Policies Addressing Disadvantage and Inequity in

Regional and Rural Victoria .................................................................................9

5.1 A Fairer Victoria ..........................................................................................9

5.2.1 Principles .........................................................................................11 Principle 1: Ensuring universal services provide equal opportunity

for all .............................................................................11 Principle 2: Reducing barriers to opportunity...................................12 Principle 3: Strengthening assistance to disadvantaged groups........14 Principle 4: Providing support for disadvantaged places..................15 Principle 5: Making it easier to work with government ...................16

5.2.2 Priorities .........................................................................................17 Priority 1: Helping Victorian children achieve the best start in life .17 Priority 2: Improving education and helping people into work........18 Priority 3: Improving health and wellbeing and reducing health

inequalities ......................................................................23 Priority 4: Developing liveable communities where Victorians will

want to live, work and raise families ..............................25 6. Regional Development.........................................................................................27 7. Case Studies .........................................................................................................32

Case Study 1: Transport Connections...............................................32 Case Study 2: Best start for Koorie children in Gippsland...............34 Case Study 3: Peter Harcourt Disability Services – Changing Days

Initiative .....................................................................34 Case Study 4: Community Building Initiative..................................36 Case Study 5: Corio Norlane Regeneration ......................................37 Case Study 6: Wendouree West Community Learning Hub ............38 Case Study 7: Fairer Health Case Studies.........................................39

Appendix 1: Public Data Sets on Rural and Regional Disadvantage ..........................41

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1. Introduction

In January 2010, the Rural and Regional Committee sought submissions to its Inquiry into the Extent and Nature of Disadvantage and Inequity in Rural and Regional Victoria. The Victorian Government understands disadvantage as broader than economic disadvantage or material deprivation as significant as these are. As well as considering standard dimensions such as household income, housing security (tenure) and employment, we also include in our understanding other barriers to participating fully in society. These include issues such as transport, education, and social and civic participation. Factors such as a lack of skills, ill health, poor relationships and isolation can exclude people from opportunities others take for granted. In this context, inequity can be seen as unfair and avoidable discrepancies in outcomes and is related to the concept of inequality, more commonly used by the Victorian Government. Both have particular relevance to access to services and broader opportunities. Poverty and deprivation are largely influenced by market forces and are moderated largely by Commonwealth policy levers. Given the Commonwealth Government has policy leadership for income support, the tax transfer system and employment policy, it is considered to be in a stronger position to influence policy which impacts on the level of poverty in our society than state governments. While the Victorian Government does not have access to these policy levers, it can however make a significant difference in minimising deprivation by a range of activities. It has the capacity to make essential services more affordable through concessions, make key services free and universally available, and target additional support to people and places at greatest risk of deprivation. These types of activities are core elements of A Fairer Victoria1 (AFV), the Victorian Government’s key social policy action plan to address disadvantage and promote inclusion and

articipation.

e – in ways that look beyond a simple lack of economic and aterial resources.

p The Victorian Government also has a leadership role in promoting social inclusion, which is also a key focus of the Commonwealth’s agenda. The benefit of using a social inclusion framework is that it is particularly effective when applied on a place basis and so has particular resonance when applied to an examination of rural and regional disadvantage given its geographic grounding. Social inclusion principles have informed the shaping of AFV. The Victorian Government’s objective through adopting a social inclusion framework is to improve wellbeing – and in particular to address disadvantagm With a focus on regional Victoria, this submission outlines some of the key concepts associated with disadvantage and inequity. It outlines some of the more widely used

1Department of Planning and Community Development 2009, A Fairer Victoria website, Victoria, viewed 6 April 2010, <http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/Web14/dvc/dvcmain.nsf/allDocs/RWPBA66A032F874AC59CA2572D00026A891?OpenDocument>.

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methodologies for measuring disadvantage and highlights the implications associated with using different data sets when attempting to measure it and evaluate the effectiveness of government responses. Using AFV as the primary policy framework, the submission highlights key Victorian Government initiatives that seek to address disadvantage and inequality. While an exhaustive list of programs and activities is not provided in this submission, links and references to key policy documents that outline in more detail these and other activities are included for the Committee to explore. Finally, a number of case studies with a regional Victoria focus are included to

lustrate the impact of these Victorian Government activities at a regional level.

rnment in addressing issues such as disadvantage nd inequity in regional Victoria.

nds this submission to the Committee and looks rward to the Committee’s report.

. Regional Victoria at a Glance

rural towns to large regional centres such as Geelong, Bendigo and allarat.

rend exacerbated in smaller towns and rural areas, and reduced in regional centres.

Areas with high amenity landscapes are lso likely to experience population growth.

range of factors will influence these future patterns, including:

il Furthermore, the submission acknowledges the underpinning of these activities by a strong Victorian Government presence in regional Victoria, and a commitment to the economic and community development of regional Victoria as administered through a dedicated statutory body, Regional Development Victoria (RDV). This body through its administrative support of the Federal Government’s new network, Regional Development Australia, also provides the mechanism for stronger regional co-operation across all levels of govea The Victorian Government commefo 2 For the purpose of this submission, ‘regional Victoria’ is the area of Victoria outside metropolitan Melbourne consisting of 48 regional and rural councils. It is a large and diverse area made up of a wide range of landscapes and settlements, ranging from very smallB Regional Victoria is generally characterised by a lower cost of living and a more aged population when compared to metropolitan Melbourne. The higher average age of the population can be seen as a demographic ‘pinch’ of people aged between twenty and thirty. This is also the age at which people are more mobile, and this ‘pinch’ is thought to be caused by people moving from regional and rural areas to major regional centres, capital cities or offshore to study or work (see Figure 1). This tis In the past decade, population growth in regional Victoria has exceeded projections. This growth is expected to continue, with the latest Victoria in Future projections showing an additional 325,000 people will live in regional Victoria by 2026. The pattern of future growth and change is expected to be focused around regional centres, especially those in proximity to Melbourne. a A

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- The size of regional centres and their growth catchments: linkages and proximity to dynamic urban centres (including Melbourne) are clearly correlated with population growth, economic diversity and housing investment;

- Accessibility: proximity, connectivity and transport: locations with good road and

and services provide a viable alternative for low income families.

nts such as landscape and rural amenity, attractive townships and public spaces, quality education and health resources, a vibrant arts and cultural

ooking at disadvantage in regional areas

igure 1: Population distribution in Victoria

recent trend is that traditional approaches to disadvantage as an outcome of poverty

‘Towards New Indicators of Disadvantage: Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Australia’3 has shown that poverty, deprivation and social exclusion are distinct but

rail access, access to good health and education facilities and access to high speed broadband/mobile phone coverage have significant advantages in attracting growth and investment;

- Housing choice and affordability: many regional locations have relatively affordable housing. Locations which offer affordable housing along with access to employment

- Work and lifestyle flexibility: overall, employment has continued to grow in regional Victoria, rising by 21.3 per cent over the past 10 years since February 2010;2 and

- Liveability: locations that have distinctive ‘liveability’ characteristics will attract and retain reside

scene, a diverse range of sporting and recreation opportunities and strong positive local identities.

These factors, and others are important when land are discussed further in this submission. F Source: ABS Census 2006 3. Understanding Disadvantage Aand low income are giving way to a more sophisticated understanding of disadvantage and its association with social exclusion.

2 Due to data volatility, 3 monthly averaged used. Australian Bureau of Statistics 2010, Information Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery, cat. no. 6291.0.55.001, Canberra, viewed 9 April 2010, <http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6291.0.55.001>.

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overlapping concepts. They cover what most people understand by the term ‘social disadvantage’. Social disadvantage is generally understood to arise as a result of restricted access to resources, lack of participation and blocked opportunities, with the

istinctions as follows:

creased risk of poor health, and experience low self-

nal convention, it is

hat people cannot afford, what matters for exclusion is what people do not do.

r community networks – to support and enable the ll participation of their residents.

ly concentrated isadvantage in regional/rural or urban areas will remain entrenched.

nation, it provides a useful lustration of the effect on communities more generally.

d - Poverty is a situation in which someone’s income is so inadequate as to preclude

them from having an acceptable standard of living. It exists when people’s actual income is below a poverty line. It is generally considered as one of the most basic and enduring causes of disadvantage. Those living in poverty have an inadequate standard of living, face an inesteem and social isolation.

- Deprivation exists when a lack of resources prevents people from accessing the goods and activities that are essential. Following internatiodefined as an enforced lack of socially perceived essentials.

- Social exclusion exists when people do not participate in key activities in society. Whereas deprivation focuses on w

Location is also considered an important element when exploring the concept of disadvantage. Some places have higher concentrations of people who are socio-economically disadvantaged. Places themselves may also be disadvantaged as some population centres do not always have the economic, social and community infrastructure and services – the business, employment, housing, education, training, transport, health services, policing ofu As in other parts of Australia, there is location-specific disadvantage of this kind in both regional and metropolitan Victoria. Location-specific disadvantage in Victoria is deep but it is not widespread. A study which uses Australian postcodes to identify locations of disadvantage (Dropping Off the Edge4 by Em Prof Tony Vinson AM) found that just 1.5 per cent of all postcode areas in Victoria account for 13.7 per cent of the top 40 rankings for indicators of disadvantage. This underlines why place specific approaches are so important for Governments that aim to reduce disadvantage. Without specific, targeted local effort this kind of highd The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has provided the following on the impact of inequity and disadvantage. While this quote refers to just one aspect of inequity and disadvantage, that is discrimiil

ers P, Naidoo Y, Griffiths M with Davidson P, Hampshire A, Taylor J, Bellamy J & King S

007, Towards New Indicators of Disadvantage: Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Australia, Sydney Policy Research Centre, Sydney.

3 Saund2

4 Vinson T 2007, Dropping Off the Edge: the distribution of disadvantage in Australia, University of Sydney, Commissioned by Catholic Social Services Australia & Jesuit Social Services.

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“Inequity and disadvantage are linked in a cycle that excludes people from fully participating in public life. Discrimination or a lack of fairness leads to peoplebeing denied jobs, limits their access to education, prevents their participation isports and clubs, excludes them from accessing public transport. This in turn has an impact on their ability to earn a living and otherwise contribute to society. As the length of time a person experiences inequity continues, their disadvantage increases so the process incrementally excludes people from participation and makes it more difficult for t

n

hem to return to a position of substantive equality. It is not only those direccommunity. Unequal societies have higher rates of crime, violence andinstability. More equal societies, on the other hand, experience improved health and education outcomes.”

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner March 2010

tly affected by inequity that suffer – inequity affects the whole social

4. Measuring Disadvantage

Given the complexity of the concept of disadvantage, there is a range of measures and ata sources that are indicators of disadvantage and inequity. The use of data sets

n the aspect of disadvantage that is being examined, and it is dprimarily depends ounlikely that any one measure will provide an accurate and complete view of the nature and scope of disadvantage. Common indicators The best-known measure of socio-economic disadvantage in Australia is the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), which is a general measure of socio-economic status (SES) by area. The SEIFA is a product of the Australian Bureau of Statistics

at measures and ranks areas according to socio-economic disadvantage based on

e data. For example, data on w income is incorporated into the SEIFA, but household income alone does not

capture the resources available to a household, which may hold assets and have access to other resources. As the paper highlights, low income may also reflect a temporary situation, such as a period of leave or business start-up.

thinformation derived from the five-yearly Census of Population and Housing. It is therefore a measure of relative disadvantage – that is, it provides information on areas relative to other areas across Australia. The ABS Information Paper: An Introduction to Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 20065 provides detailed background on the derivation of the SEIFA data and includes a valuable discussion about the limitations of thlo

5 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2009, Information Paper: An Introduction to Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2006, cat. no. 2039.0, Canberra, viewed 6 April 2010, <http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/2039.0/>.

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Depending on the geographic area used, the SEIFA may ‘mask’ small pockets of disadvantage within a relatively advantaged area, although data is available at the sub-Local Government Area (LGA) level6. Dropping Off the Edge7 draws on a wide range of data to assess localised disadvantage in Victoria. Indicators of disadvantage used for the study include financial stress, health, community safety and crime, employment and income, and educational participation and attainment. A key limitation of this data is that it is not collected or published on a regular basis. Another source of data at the geographic level is the Indicators of Community Strength8 collected at the LGA level in Victoria in 2008. This data is valuable in that it extends the scope of socio-economic disadvantage to examine indicators of community strength, including access to community facilities, participation in community, recreational and civic activities, and capacity to get help when needed. Limitations of place based data-sets One of the key short-comings with these measures is that they focus on place-based disadvantage and they do not reveal particular population groups experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. For example, place-based data will not reveal how Indigenous Victorians or people with a disability or refugees are faring in terms of social and economic inclusion overall. Datasets that collect information by demographic characteristics are required to identify the particular groups of Victorians who are most likely to be disadvantaged. Another limitation is that measures such as the SEIFA are general measures. If a particular aspect of disadvantage is under investigation – for example labour market disadvantage or health disadvantage – more specific datasets need to be used. Access to services is a key aspect of socio-economic disadvantage, and this is not measured as part of the SEIFA. Other data-sets The limitations described above point to the need for multiple data sources and measures in identifying areas of disadvantage and evaluating and monitoring programs. There are numerous publicly available data sets that focus on other aspects of disadvantage and inequity, including: population, employment and workforce participation, housing, access to services and infrastructure, transport, education and training, health, positive socialisation, involvement in decision making, crime and problem gambling. Many of these alternative sources are listed in Appendix 1. 6 Detailed maps showing SEIFA data by LGA can be found at <http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/dsenres.nsf/LinkView/D31EE5FD5F8FD835CA25749C001AD49EC70997566F01CABDCA256D6500039059#regional>. 7 Vinson T, Dropping Off the Edge: the distribution of disadvantage in Australia. 8Pope J & Zhang W 2010, Indicators of community strength at the local government area level in Victoria 2008, Department of Planning and Community Development , viewed 6 April 2010, <http://www.dvc.vic.gov.au/Web14/dvc/rwpgslib.nsf/GraphicFiles/Indicators+of+Community+Strength+at+the+Local+Government+Area+level+in+Victoria+2008/$file/Indicators+of+Community+Strength+at+LGA+level+2008+FINAL+low-res.pdf>.

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Even with the benefit of multiple data sets, there will always be potential for analysis based on quantitative data to oversimplify the nuances of disadvantage and inequity. This points to the need to supplement quantitative data with qualitative data and to consult with local communities to validate findings generated by the data. 5. Victorian Government Policies Addressing Disadvantage and

Inequity in Regional and Rural Victoria 5.1 A Fairer Victoria A Fairer Victoria (AFV)9 is the Government’s overarching strategy for promoting social inclusion, reducing inequality and disadvantage and creating opportunity for people wherever they live. It is a whole of Government social policy action plan to address disadvantage and promote inclusion and participation. The inaugural publication was released in 2005 with a companion publication providing the underpinning policy debate which identified the challenges faced to address disadvantage in Victoria and pointed to future policy approaches: Challenges in Addressing Disadvantage in Victoria10. In addition to the general spending on social and other education and hospital programs, AFV has contributed an extra $5 billion over the past 5 years. AFV is published annually with the sixth iteration expected in May 2010. Material resources can be a barrier to participation in social activities, but so can lack of skills and knowledge, ill-health, poor relationships, cultural barriers and isolation. Some people experience multiple interconnected barriers. Policy responses that focus on social inclusion address disadvantage collectively, rather than dealing with problems individually. Responses may be delivered by facilitating access to mainstream services or through targeted initiatives. Focusing efforts in places where people live – in regional centres or rural towns – can assist in joining up responses to multi-layered problems. Social inclusion improves opportunities and removes barriers so that people can participate in the types of activities that most Victorians take for granted. These activities can include: a job; an education; access to services; involvement in sport and recreation; volunteering; and taking part in local decisions. The Victorian Government’s approach to social inclusion recognises that: - disadvantage cannot be measured by income alone but should take account of a

wide range of living standards (it is multidimensional); - people are not simply individuals but are part of a family, household and

community (it is relational);

9Department of Planning and Community Development 2009, A Fairer Victoria website, Victoria, viewed 6 April 2010, <http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/Web14/dvc/dvcmain.nsf/allDocs/RWPBA66A032F874AC59CA2572D00026A891?OpenDocument>. 10 DPC 2005, Challenges in Addressing Disadvantage in Victoria - Position Paper 2005, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria, viewed 6 April 2010, <http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/Web14/dvc/rwpgslib.nsf/GraphicFiles/Challenges+in+Addressing+Disadvantages/$file/ChellengesInAddressingDisadvantageinVictoria.pdf>.

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- the processes of government, the economy and society can lead to exclusion, (actions and choices made by governments can make a difference for better or worse); and

- people need basic capabilities and knowledge to avoid, deal with, and escape from disadvantage (socially inclusive practice focuses on building strengths, rather than ameliorating deficits).

Many rural and regional communities have very strong social capital. Their social networks and high levels of civic participation make them resilient in the face of challenges which would defeat weaker communities. But the government recognises the need to support their human and economic capital as well. Figure 3 below illustrates how this social inclusion approach to disadvantage works across economic, social and human capital fields and where Government intervention can be most effective. Figure 2: Victoria’s Approach to Social Inclusion

AFV takes account of the evidence on the drivers of disadvantage11 and provides five principles that guide the Government’s approach to addressing disadvantage. These are: - ensuring universal services provide equal opportunity for all; - reducing barriers to opportunity; - strengthening assistance to disadvantaged groups; - providing support for disadvantaged places; and

11 Department of Premier and Cabinet, Challenges in Addressing Disadvantage in Victoria - Position Paper 2005.

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- involving communities in decisions affecting their lives and making it easier to work with Government.

Building on these principles, AFV identifies four key priorities that focus on the areas where the State Government can have the greatest influence. These are to: - help all Victorian children get the best start in life; - improve education opportunities and help people into work; - improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities; and - develop liveable communities where Victorians will want to live, work and raise

families. These priorities reinforce each other. The better start a child gets the greater his or her chance of success at school and of a rewarding career. Education supports healthy choices, and good health enables economic participation through work. Healthier people in secure jobs are more able to participate in their communities, making them safe, caring and inclusive. Although AFV is a state-wide strategy, the principles described above are especially important to regional Victoria. The principles underpinning AFV inform and frame a number of Victorian Government activities aimed at addressing disadvantage. The AFV publications provide a list of Victorian Government achievements, investments and programs to date aimed at addressing disadvantage. With a focus on regional Victoria, below is a list illustrating key policy initiatives that in some instances go beyond, to build on what is presented in AFV. The list has been divided in accordance with the AFV framework, using the principles (and then priorities) as a guide.

5.2.1 Principles The initiatives listed below build on the principles outlined in AFV. Given the extensive range of Victorian Government activity aimed at addressing disadvantage directly and indirectly, an exhaustive list of policies and programs under each heading has not been provided, however links and references to key policy documents that outline in more detail these and other activities have been included for the Committee to explore.

Principle 1: Ensuring universal services provide equal opportunity for all Improving access to universal services is vital to reducing disadvantage. In Australia universal education and health systems have been critical to mitigating disparities in market wages. Health and education and access to affordable essential services have been part of a ‘social wage’ which remains fundamental to the quality of life that Victorians enjoy. The Victorian Government has added to this a commitment by producing the first Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities12 of any Australian state. The Charter 12 Department of Justice 2006,Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, Equal Opportunity Commission, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/pdf/The%20Charter%20of%20Human%20Rights%2

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is founded on the principles that human rights are essential in a democratic and inclusive society that respects the rule of law, human dignity, equality and freedom. The Charter provides a framework to underpin Victorian Government policy and decision-making, ensuring that human rights, including equality before the law, are considered in all government decision making. The Victorian Government’s commitment to access to universal services is further evident in the sections that follow.

Principle 2: Reducing barriers to opportunity Lack of income, poor services, absence of affordable housing and transport and inadequate legal support can all deny people opportunities to be their best. The Government’s approach in reducing barriers to opportunity is designed to make sure fewer people are missing out and nobody is deliberately left behind. To illustrate, below are some initiatives that focus on connectivity through transport and ICT. Improving Options and Reducing Barriers- Addressing Transport Disadvantage In 2008, the then Department of Infrastructure released the report Improving Options and Reducing Barriers- Addressing Transport Disadvantage: A status report13. This report summarises initiatives, at the time to address transport disadvantage and outlines a way forward for debate and action. This includes providing better regional services to assist people in rural and regional Victoria such as: - the introduction of services in new regional growth areas; - services to connect regional communities to the Regional Network; and - improved services at night and on weekends in major regional centres including

Ballarat, Latrobe Valley, and Bendigo. Regional and rural transport The Victorian Transport Plan14, released in 2009 announces a number of transport investments in regional Victoria, including: - the development of the Regional Rail Link ($4.3 billion); - the upgrade of regional railway stations across Victoria ($30 million); and - improvements to bus services both within and between regional centres ($50

million) as well as improvements to bus services and a new central bus interchange for Geelong ($80 million).

A number of recent public transport improvements have improved the availability and affordability of public transport across rural and regional Victoria - the expansion of V/Line rail and coach services under Regional Fast Rail, ticketing reform and additional regional bus services. The maintenance and upgrade of roads in regional and rural Victoria has been critical to enabling people to access employment, services and to maintain their social connections with others. 0and%20Responsibilities%20-%20Protection%20of%20freedoms%20and%20rights%20for%20everyone%20in%20Victoria.pdf>. 13 State Government of Victoria 2008, Improving Options and Reducing Barriers- Addressing Transport Disadvantage: A status report, State Government of Victoria, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/DOI/DOIElect.nsf/$UNIDS+for+Web+Display/A99556E30A86CB71CA25743B0009F008/$FILE/Addressing_transport_disadvantage.pdf>. 14 State Government of Victoria 2008, Victorian Transport Plan, State Government of Victoria, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www4.transport.vic.gov.au/vtp/pdfs/vtp.pdf>.

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Accessible Public Transport in Victoria Action Plan 2006-201215 The Department of Transport is working with public transport operators to ensure all members of the community, including people with special needs, can access train, tram, bus and taxi services. The Plan highlights a list of actions towards meeting the requirements of Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and corresponding standards. Public Transport Concessions Over the last five years, the Victorian Government has aligned transport concessions across Victoria.16 The same concessions now apply to metropolitan Melbourne, regional town bus networks and V/Line services. Health Care Cards are now also accepted for concession fares on public transport. These concessions have significantly benefited regional Victorians with concessions generally increasing on most services. In addition, all Victorian Seniors get two off-peak travel vouchers each year, which provide two return trips anywhere in Victoria and free Sunday travel for Seniors within regional cities (Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo). Transport Connections17 This program is about communities working together to improve local transport. It funds local partnerships to employ a Transport Connections Co-ordinator to make better use of existing transport resources, such as community vehicles, public transport, school buses, taxis and volunteer drivers, to better meet local needs. Thirty-two projects have been funded which cover 57 municipalities, primarily in rural and regional areas. Broadband The Victorian Innovation Statement, Innovation: Victoria’s Future,18 includes two programs to further stimulate ICT and broadband development across the state. The $20 million VicFibreLINKS19 (VFL) program will deploy competitive open access fibre backhaul infrastructure in regional Victoria and the $15 million collaborative Internet Innovation Fund20 (cIIF) will support innovation using next generation ICT in government, industry and community sectors.

The Victorian Government has been advocating to the Commonwealth in relation to its broadband policies and regulatory responsibilities.

15State Government of Victoria 2006, Accessible Public Transport in Victoria Action Plan 2006-2012, State Government of Victoria, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/db09215841890e3eca2571f0000b2760/$FILE/Accessible_Public_Transport_2006-2012.pdf>. 16Metlink 2010, Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual website, Victoria, viewed 6 April 2010, <http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/fares-tickets/victorian-fares-and-ticketing-manual/>. 17The Department of Planning and Community Development 2009, Creating Local Transport Solutions website, Victoria, viewed 6 April 2010, <http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/Web14/dvc/dvcmain.nsf/allDocs/RWP7A7520D20D41BE9BCA25761E00470452?OpenDocument>. 18 DIIRD 2008, Victorian Innovation Statement, Innovation: Victoria’s Future, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.business.vic.gov.au/busvicwr/_assets/main/lib60027/5039%20vis_web.pdf>. 19 Multimedia Victoria 2009, VicFibre Links website, Victoria, viewed 6 April 2010, <http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/VicFibreLinks>. 20 Multimedia Victoria 2010, Collaborative Internet Innovation Fund website, Victoria, viewed 6 April 2010, <http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/CollaborativeInternetInnovationFund>.

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Principle 3: Strengthening assistance to disadvantaged groups Some people are at greater risk of missing out – people with a disability, Indigenous people, people with a mental illness, those on low incomes and people experiencing more remote service access can all be more likely to miss out on important services and opportunities. Policy and programs targeting disadvantaged groups can make a considerable difference to people at greatest risk. The Victorian Government runs a number of programs that seek to strengthen assistance to disadvantaged groups. Provided below are examples of key initiatives that cover a broad range of targeted groups. Youth Services and Youth Justice21 In rural regions, access to Youth Justice Units can be more difficult due to geographical constraints. To facilitate access, each rural region has multiple Youth Justice Units as follows: Gippsland Region - Bairnsdale, Morwell and Sale; Grampians Region- Ballarat and Horsham; Barwon/South West Region - Geelong and Warrnambool; Hume Region - Shepparton, Seymour, Wodonga and Wangaratta; and Loddon-Mallee Region - Bendigo and Mildura. Furthermore, in rural regions, outreach is an important component of youth justice casework with young offenders. Child Protection and Family Services22 Child Protection, Placement and Family Services brings together a range of programs focussed on achieving improved outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and families. The now nationally acclaimed Child and Family Information Referral and Support Teams (ChildFIRST) initiative provides access to integrated family services and has assisted vulnerable families and children to receive early intervention and support services before statutory involvement. ChildFIRST sites have been established in 24 sub regional catchments across the state and provide a central, community-based referral point to a range of community based Family Services and other supports, with fifteen in regional Victoria. Disability Services23 The Disability Act 2006 strengthened a whole-of-government, whole-of-community response to the rights and needs of people with a disability. The Disability Services equity formula uses various weightings, including ‘rurality’, Aboriginal status and socio-economic weightings, to calculate the level of disadvantage and allow for the equitable distribution of new initiative and growth funds between each of the Department of Human Services (DHS) regions each year. Concessions24 DHS runs a number of concessions and hardship programs. These are designed to assist low-income earners in Victoria to access and afford essential services such as

21 Department of Human Services 2010, Children, Youth and Families: Youth Justice website, Victoria viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.cyf.vic.gov.au/youth-justice/home>. 22 Department of Human Services 2010, Children, Youth and Families website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.cyf.vic.gov.au/>. 23 Department of Human Services 2010, Disability Services website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/disability>. 24 Department of Human Services 2010, Victorian State Concessions website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/concessions>.

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water and energy. Affordable access to services is essential for participation in social and economic life, and provides the basis for a fair and safe society. Homelessness and Family Violence services25 A number of related programs provide support for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or escaping family violence. Homelessness services seek to provide accommodation, and broader assistance to help overcome the issues that have contributed to their homelessness. Family Violence services provide support for victims of family violence, and seek to reduce the incidence of family violence and increase accountability of people who use violence against family members. Affordable rental housing26 Priorities include providing better and more affordable rental housing, with a substantial building effort currently underway, as well as providing training and employment opportunities to help public housing tenants transition out of public housing. DHS also provides private renter assistance, in the form of bond loans.

Principle 4: Providing support for disadvantaged places While Victorians enjoy a high standard of living and amenity some rural and regional areas face additional challenges associated with economic restructuring, drought, climate change and rural downturn, the ageing of their communities and the drain of skilled labour to cities. The Government has taken the view that by themselves improving access to services and increasing opportunities are insufficient to give all Victorians a chance to be their best. In addition, specific projects focusing on individual places to improve opportunities at a local level are also required. The Government has undertaken a wide range of projects to target extra support to places experiencing high needs or a high rate of change. To illustrate, some of these include: Neighbourhood Renewal27 Lead through DHS, Neighbourhood Renewal brings together the resources and ideas of residents, governments, businesses and community groups to tackle disadvantage in areas with concentrations of public housing. There are a number of Neighbourhood Renewal sites in rural and regional Victoria, including: - Wendouree West (see case study); - Colac; - Shepparton; - Corio and Norlane; - Eaglehawk; - Latrobe Valley; - Long Gully; and - Seymour.

25 Department of Human Services 2010, Housing: Homelessness and family violence website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, < http://www.housing.vic.gov.au/homelessness-and-family-violence>. 26 Department of Human Services 2010, Housing website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.housing.vic.gov.au/>. 27 State Government of Victoria 2010, Neighbourhood Renewal website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.neighbourhoodrenewal.vic.gov.au/>.

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Drought Package28 Droughts are just one factor that can have severe financial, social and emotional impacts on individual farmers and rural and regional communities. The Victorian Government announced a $47 million drought package on 22 October 2009 to support individuals, families and farmers affected by drought. Since 2006, the Victorian Government has provided over $400 million of drought support. Future Farming Strategy29 The Victorian Government has launched the Future Farming Strategy in 2008. The Strategy will invest $205 million over four years in programs to improve the ability of farmers to be productive, competitive and sustainable in the future. The Sustainable Farm Families Program30 supports the physical and mental health of farmers and their families. The program is tailored to the needs of people living in rural areas and seeks to promote good health, as it is considered linked to productivity. Furthermore, in 2009 a new National Centre for Farmer Health was established to provide national leadership to improve the health and wellbeing of farm workers and their families across Australia. Rural Financial Counselling Service31 (RFCS) The RFCS Program operates as a partnership between the Australian and Victorian governments and non-government, not-for-profit organisations that employ rural financial counsellors.

Principle 5: Making it easier to work with government Local communities are best placed to identify their needs and how they should be met. Good outcomes are only possible when all levels of government work closely together and listen carefully to what citizens want. This means governments need to work differently, more collaboratively and respectfully with local experts. Regional Management Forums32 (RMF) are an initiative of AFV and exemplify these approaches in making it easier to work with government at a local level. The Forums operate in the eight regions of Victoria, and work with local stakeholders to identify and understand key issues that would benefit from an integrated approach to planning and service delivery. RMFs frequently undertake work to address disadvantage in their regions. 28 Department of Primary Industries 2009, Agriculture, Food & Forestry: Drought Information for Victoria website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/drought>. 29 Department of Primary Industries 2010, Agriculture, Food & Forestry: Future Farming website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/futurefarming>. 30 Department of Primary Industries 2010, Agriculture, Food & Forestry: Sustainable Farm Families website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nrenfa.nsf/childdocs/-80E62E2EAB672EE24A256B520005A0AF-C5C1899E958127624A256B520005C2A1-24DED653CEC1646ECA25735900826616?open>. 31 Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2009, Rural Financial Counselling Service website, Canberra, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/drought/rfcs>. 32Department of Planning and Community Development 2009, Changing the Way Government Works website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/Web14/dvc/dvcmain.nsf/allDocs/RWPCADF44BBD1E0C269CA25761C000B9848?OpenDocument>.

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For example the Hume Regional Management Forum (HRMF) has worked to identify priority locations for joined-up government, place-based activity targeting disadvantage and service delivery improvements in high need communities. A report titled Distribution of Disadvantage in Hume Region: An Initiative of the Hume RMF was produced in September 2007 as a result of this work. The Loddon Mallee Regional Management Forum (LMRMF) has been able to provide and leverage funding to support local place-based projects and initiatives. The LMRMF is also engaging with the Department of Planning and Community Development to develop resource tools on socio-economic disadvantage. The aim is to develop a set of indicators to highlight disadvantage within the region and provide an evidence base for a place based focus and identify priority areas for whole-of-government efforts.

5.2.2 Priorities Building on the principles described above, AFV identifies four key priorities that focus on the areas where the State Government can have the greatest influence. Below are details on these priorities as well as an illustrative list of key initiatives that seek to address these specific priorities. Again, an exhaustive list of programs and activities under each heading has not been provided, links and references to key policy documents that outline in more detail these and other activities have been included for the Committee to explore.

Priority 1: Helping Victorian children achieve the best start in life There is mounting international evidence and local research showing the importance of supporting children and families in the early years. Stronger support for the learning, health and safety of all children including those who are developmentally vulnerable can increase their life chances dramatically. There are a number of programs targeting early years, these include: Best Start33 Best Start aims to improve the health, development, learning and wellbeing of all Victorian children (0-8 years). There are 30 Best Start projects across the state and half of these are in rural and regional Local Government Areas. Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups The Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups Initiative34 aims to engage vulnerable and disadvantaged families who may, for a range of reasons, under-utilise or have difficulties accessing universal early childhood services and supports, including playgroups and parent groups. There are 14 areas and regions across rural and regional Victoria that receive funding under this initiative.

33 Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2010, Best Start website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ecsmanagement/beststart/default.htm>. 34 Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2009, Best Start: Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups Initiative website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ecsmanagement/beststart/outcomes/support.htm>.

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Children’s Centres in regional Victoria: Children’s Centres aim to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood services and to enable more integrated early learning and care centres being located on or adjacent to school sites. To date, 23 Children’s Centres funded under the Children’s Capital Program35 have been built in rural and regional Victoria. Aboriginal Children and Family Centres One of two new Aboriginal Children and Family Centres will be established in regional Victoria in Bairnsdale, East Gippsland Shire. The centre will enable the establishment of an integrated service offering childhood and family support services, including long day care, kindergarten for three and four year old Aboriginal children, visiting professionals such as maternal and child health nurse, counsellors, midwife and other programs including In Home Support, Koorie early childhood field officers and early childhood intervention services. Workforce Reform Improving Victoria’s Early Childhood Workforce36 (2009) is a strategy aimed at supporting Victoria’s early childhood professionals working directly with children in early childhood settings. It contains a number of actions that are targeted towards strengthening regional Victoria’s workforce and addressing disadvantage, including: - Early Childhood Incentive Fund; and - Maternal and Child Health scholarships.

Priority 2: Improving education and helping people into work

Education Education has a central role in providing young people with the skills that are necessary for participation in their communities and in the workforce. High quality early education services and schools are fundamental in attracting new families to regional communities while concurrently playing a vital role in developing the future workforce and ensuring strong economic outcomes. While a good education is vital for employment, it also brings broader benefits by providing people with the skills and knowledge to understand and interpret the world around them, engage in debate and make more informed choices. The Government acknowledges the many challenges that regional, and notably rural, schools and early childhood services face in ensuring equity in access and opportunity for all children and young people in rural communities. Some groups, especially Koorie children and young people and, more broadly, children from low socio-economic status backgrounds, are over-represented among low achievers and under-represented among high achievers.

35 Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2010, Overview of the Children’s Capital Program website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ecsmanagement/funding/capitalprogram/default.htm>. 36DEECD 2009, Improving Victoria’s Early Childhood Workforce: Working to give Victoria’s children the best start in life, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, < http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/govrel/Policy/ecworkforce.pdf >.

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The Government’s key education and early childhood development policy statement, the Blueprint for Education and Early Childhood Development37 (2008), outlines a number of policies and initiatives that are strongly focussed on system improvement, strengthening workforce capacity and developing partnerships with families, business and the community. Smarter Schools National Partnerships The Blueprint reform agenda is complemented by the Smarter Schools38 Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Partnership Agreements that are supported through a combination of Commonwealth and State funding. The agreements focus on improving literacy and numeracy outcomes, reducing educational inequality experienced by low socio-economic schools and improving teacher quality. The National Partnerships39 are being implemented across Victoria through three key reform priority areas: - School-community engagement and extended schools - Recognition and response to individual learning needs - Leadership and teacher capacity. Some of the initiatives under these priority areas which aim to address educational disadvantage and impact in regional and rural areas are highlighted below. Extended School Hubs: one of the initiatives of the national partnership for low socio-economic schools is the two year extended school hubs pilot. Extended school hubs coordinate partnerships with business, local government and community based agencies to provide complementary learning programs and services delivered during, before and after school hours. The extended school hub pilots are also located in Bendigo in the Sandhurst Network and in the Geelong North Network. Improving school access to high quality teachers: schools, particularly those from low socio-economic communities, are being provided with improved access to quality teachers. This initiative provides increased opportunities to employ, reward and retain high quality teachers, and for mentoring and professional learning activities.

Timely student intervention and support: schools are being assisted to develop specific education and pathway strategies focussed on the individual needs and circumstances of students at educational risk, at risk of homelessness or homeless, refugee students, Indigenous students, and students with complex needs. A variety of school-based interventions are being trialled in government schools.

37Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2009, Blueprint for Education and Early Childhood Development website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/directions/blueprint2008/default.htm>. 38 Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2010, National Partnerships: Smarter Schools National Partnerships website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/directions/nationalpartnerships/smarterschools/default.htm>. 39 DEECD 2010, List of schools participating in the Smarter Schools National Partnerships, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/govrel/natpartnerships/participating-schools_list.pdf>.

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Education Regeneration Projects40: a planned response by a group of schools, the local community, early childhood service providers and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to enhance education in a local area. The key drivers of these projects are: - improving curriculum provision; - improving student learning and development outcomes and pathways; and - addressing disadvantage. Twenty nine Education Regeneration projects are currently being delivered in rural and regional Victoria. Wannik, Learning Together – Journey to Our Future41 (2008): the Victorian Government’s education strategy for Koorie students. It is a comprehensive package of actions that places Koorie students at the centre of the Government’s school reform program, with strong accountability mechanisms at the school, region and system level for improving education outcomes for Koorie students. The Government has also signed up to a COAG National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions42. This National Partnership aims to increase participation of young people in education and training, increase attainment levels nationally and improve successful transitions from school. Student Resource Package43: funding for Victorian government schools is provided via the Student Resource Package (SRP). The SRP provides equity funding, allocations for rural school size adjustment and small schools. Funding is also provided in the SRP for targeted initiatives including but not limited to, VET in Schools and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning.

Skills and Training Certain groups may require assistance and support to overcome the challenges that they face in accessing, participating and completing education and training as well as successfully making the transition into work. Provision of training in Victoria is statewide, including world class training provision in and around the rural TAFE communities of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Morwell, Bairnsdale, Mildura, Shepparton, Warrnambool and Wodonga.

40Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2009, Regeneration Projects website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/region/barwon/initiatives/projects.htm>. 41Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2010, Wannik Education Strategy website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/directions/wannik/default.htm>. 42Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2009, National Partnerships: Youth Attainment and Transitions National Partnership website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/directions/nationalpartnerships/youth.htm>. 43Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2009, Student Resource Package website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/srp/default.htm>.

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Securing Jobs for Your Future – Skills for Victoria Securing Jobs for Your Future - Skills for Victoria44, the Victorian Government's Skills Statement, provides $316 million in new funding to create over 170,000 new training places, upgrade TAFE facilities and deliver more flexibility for individuals, employers and training providers. Victorian Training Guarantee The Victorian Training Guarantee45 entitles eligible students to a government subsidised place through one of Victoria’s TAFE institutes, university TAFE Divisions, Adult Community Education organisations, or private registered training providers. Wurreker Strategy The Wurreker Strategy is the overarching policy framework for Vocational Education and Training for Koorie students. Wurreker is a partnership between the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc (VAEAI) and the Victorian government that aims to: - Improve access, participation and outcomes for Koories in TAFE; - Provide a framework for RTOs and TAFE to achieve better outcomes for Koories; - Provide mechanisms for Koorie communities to have a say in the training

available within their community. The Koorie State Training Plan The Koorie State Training Plan provides an overview of how the VET sector in Victoria is delivering training programs to Koories and improving overall education, training and employment outcomes. It also provides forward direction on how VET delivery should occur, taking into account community identified priorities, the education and training needs of Koorie learners, and known economic and employment opportunities. Academy of Sport Health and Education (ASHE) Shepparton ASHE was launched in Shepparton in 2004 as a partnership between Rumbalara Football and Netball Club and the University of Melbourne. The project targets young Koories residing in the Greater Shepparton region. Lake Tyers Training Centre Skills Victoria supports the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust through the provision of Lake Tyers Training Centre management and administrative support and the delivery of training programs as identified by the local Indigenous community. Workforce Participation and Employment The main source of wellbeing for individuals and households in Victoria is income earned through employment. Reasons for poor employment outcomes in particular locations differ. Both issues of disadvantage for some population groups and geographic issues pose significant challenges for participation in the labour force. Issues include:

44DIIRD 2008, Securing Jobs for Your Future: Skills for Victoria, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/15969/Skills-Reform_web.pdf>. 45 Skills Victoria 2009, The Victorian Training Guarantee website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/get-training/support>.

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- structural changes in regional and rural industries, for example as a result of drought and related water shortages and shifts in Victoria’s manufacturing base;

- a mismatch between the skills sought by employers in growing industries and the skills and experience of workers in the local labour market, as evidenced by continuing skills gaps and shortages;

- mobility and transport issues that impede the ability to take up employment opportunities; and

- access to affordable childcare and flexible work arrangements for parents returning to work.

Working Victoria: Victoria’s Workforce Participation Strategy 200846 outlines the strategies and direction being taken to promote and support higher workforce participation in Victoria to meet current and projected labour force demand. Strategies include: - strengthen skills development; - increase incentives and reducing barriers to work; and - show leadership, advocacy and build strong partnerships.

Workforce participation programs designed to help meet the labour force supply needs of Victorian industry in regional and rural areas include: Industry Workforce Development Strategy Initiative: designed to improve workforce planning and assist industries in five rural areas (Great South Coast, North East Victoria, Mildura, Ballarat and Eastern Gippsland) to better plan for and address their skills and labour needs. Back to Work47: is a rapid response service that provides comprehensive information, advice and referral services to retrenched workers and businesses facing retrenchments. As at March 2010, 46 per cent of businesses that have been supported are from regional and rural locations. Victoriaworks48: a suite of programs link Victorians who face challenges to accessing employment to Victorian employers with skills and labour needs. The Transition to Employment (TTE) initiative assists school leavers with a disability by establishing clear transitional pathways and targeted assistance to build skills, capacity and work experience in order to facilitate entry into the paid workforce. In 2009 the first phase of TTE commenced in five regions, including Barwon-South Western and Gippsland. Additional funding was provided in the 2009-10 Budget to roll out the program in the remaining regions, Loddon Mallee, Hume, and Grampians.

46 Workforce Victoria 2008, Working Victoria: Victoria’s Workforce Participation Strategy, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.business.vic.gov.au/busvicwr/_assets/main/lib60212/5043_working%20victoria_web.pdf>. 47 Business Victoria 2010, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Back to Work website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.business.vic.gov.au/BUSVIC/LANDING/PC_63524.html>. 48 Business Victoria 2009, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Workforce Participation Programs website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.business.vic.gov.au/BUSVIC/STANDARD/PC_62605.html>.

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Priority 3: Improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities The evidence base is strong that poor health can compound disadvantage, further limiting participation in employment, education and the community. Poor health can therefore contribute to perpetuating cycles of inequality, poverty and crime, and place major pressure on health and community services. Disadvantage can in itself affect people’s health throughout their life with the effects often cumulative. The importance of the social context to shaping health means that all the AFV priorities are critical to improving health and social well-being. In Rural directions - for a stronger healthier Victoria (2009), a key theme is addressing health inequalities by minimising and ameliorating the prevalence of key risk factors that contribute to chronic conditions. Major Health Reform Strategies The Victorian Tobacco Control Strategy 2008–1349 and the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 200850 support the fight against chronic disease, creating a strong focus on prevention and proactively addressing public health problems. Victoria’s Cancer Action Plan 2008–201151 outlines a vision to increase cancer five-year survival rates by ten per cent by 2015. The plan also includes increased screening, immunisation and research with a strong focus on rural regional Victoria. Increased training for nurse practitioners will expand Victoria’s workforce capacity to provide oncology and palliative care services in rural and regional Victoria. To improve health outcomes for people who live with mental illness, Because mental health matters – Victorian mental health reform strategy 2009–201952 was released in March 2009. The ten-year strategy aims to give all Victorians the opportunities and services they need to maintain good mental health and wellbeing while also supporting those with an illness. Hospital and Associated Services Health services in regional and rural Victoria are organised in a three-level structure consisting of regional, sub-regional and local health services. This provides a contemporary health system that is coordinated, connected, patient focussed and committed to appropriate, safe, high-quality and evidence based care.

49 DHS 2008, Victorian Tobacco Control Strategy 2008-2013, Department of Human Services, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms/downloads/vtcs0813.pdf>. 50 Department of Health 2010, Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/phwa/>. 51 DHS 2008, Victoria’s Cancer Action Plan 2008-2011, Department of Human Services, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, < http://www.health.vic.gov.au/cancer/docs/vcap/vcactionplan.pdf >. 52 Department of Human Services 2010, Because Mental Health Matters: Victorian Mental Health Reform Strategy2009-2019 website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/reformstrategy/index.htm>.

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Rural directions – for a stronger healthier Victoria53 details the roles and range of clinical services expected at each level and identifies the role of each agency. This provides clarity for strategic directions and service planning across areas and for each health service. This structure enables the delivery of health care as close as possible to where people live, while maintaining sufficient volume to ensure appropriate quality service provision. This is supported by partnerships and referral arrangements to ensure access to state-wide specialist services. Timeliness of access to emergency care in rural and regional areas compares well to metropolitan areas, with many hospitals meeting targets for patients seen in time and access to inpatient beds. Access to elective surgery in regional Victoria also compares favourably to statewide average performance.54 Key programs which deliver services include: The clinical network program is a key mechanism for better engagement of clinicians in service improvement. This work supports the government’s vision for a high-quality and sustainable rural health system identified in Rural directions - for a stronger healthier Victoria. The Small Rural Health Service (SRHS)55 funding and accountability approach provides the opportunity for health services to utilise health funding in a more flexible way to deliver more responsive, integrated and enhanced services for their local communities. The Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP) delivers preventive models of care involving hospitals and community agencies focussing on people with chronic and complex conditions giving priority to high volume and/or frequent users of the acute public hospital system. Primary Health and Prevention Through the Primary Care Partnership Strategy56 each rural region in Victoria is involved in a Primary Care Partnership (PCP). All PCPs include hospitals, community health, local government and divisions of general practice as core members of the partnerships. Community Health Services (CHS)57 are located in every local government area in regional Victoria. A key initiative is the Early Intervention in Chronic Disease in

53 DH 2009, Rural Directions - for a Stronger Healthier Victoria, Department of Health, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ruralhealth/downloads/hs1093_rural_directions_1.pdf>. 54DH 2009, Your Hospital: A report on Victoria’s public hospitals, Department of Health, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/yourhospitals/yourhosps1009.pdf>. 55 Department of Health 2008, Small Rural Health Services website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ruralhealth/hservices/small.htm>. 56Department of Health 2010, Primary Care Partnerships website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pcps/>. 57Department of Health 2009, Community Health: About Community Health Services website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/communityhealth/about_chs.htm>.

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Community Health initiative which seeks to ensure disadvantaged people with chronic disease can access services like nursing, allied health, counselling and support for self-management. The Government is undertaking a nurse-on-call demonstration project to provide access to telephone based health coaching to clients, particularly in rural and remote areas of Victoria. The Aboriginal Health Promotion and Chronic Care (AHPACC) Partnership58 - supports Community Health Services (CHSs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) work in partnership to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians with/at risk of chronic disease. Specific work to improve the access of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria to mainstream health services is a focus of Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers. Health Workforce Increasing the education and training (clinical placement) opportunities for health students in rural areas has the potential to increase recruitment and retention of the health workforce over the longer term. A positive training experience can influence where a student applies for work upon graduation, as such, increased and high quality education opportunities in rural areas could increase the supply of health workforce in those areas that need it most, and improve local community access to healthcare services. In November 2008, the Council of Australian Governments announced a $1.55 billion package of initiatives (National Partnership Agreement on Hospital and Health Workforce Reform59) to support the health workforce over four years to 2012-13. This includes joint State and Commonwealth investment to fund entry-to-practice clinical training. Region of Choice (RoC)60 aims to build capacity in non-metropolitan regions to enhance allied health recruitment and retention activities. RoC was established in 2006-07 and provides a platform for the promotion and implementation of the Department of Health’s allied health recruitment and retention projects across rural Victoria.

Priority 4: Developing liveable communities where Victorians will want to live, work and raise families Developing liveable communities is about working with local residents to make their community a place where people want to live and raise families. On many measures related to liveable communities, rural and regional Victorians’ perceptions are more positive than those of people living in metropolitan areas, though of course this varies widely across the state. Generally, people in regional and rural Victoria are more likely to believe they:

58 Department of Health 2009, Community Health: Aboriginal Health website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/communityhealth/aboriginal_health.htm>. 59 COAG 2009, National Partnership Agreement on Hospital and Health Workforce Reform, Council of Australian Governments, Canberra, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.nhwt.gov.au/documents/COAG/National%20Partnership%20Agreement%20on%20Hospital%20and%20Health%20Workforce%20Reform.pdf>. 60 Department of Health 2009, Victoria’s Health Workforce: Region of Choice website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/workforce/healthcareers/roc>.

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- Have opportunities to volunteer, participate in community and support groups, be part of an active community and live in a pleasant environment with nice streets and well planned, open places.

- Attend local community events, participate in organised sport, be a member of an organised group, including a group that has taken local action, volunteer and participate on a board or committee.

- Feel safe on the street after dark, have opportunities to have a say and feel valued by society.

The recent Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission Inquiry into Enhancing Victoria’s Liveability61 found that ‘Provincial Victoria’ also generally ‘reports high satisfaction with liveability’. Those who live in Victoria know that its regional and rural towns and communities have great strengths, strong communities and lifestyle options not available in a large city. The Government remains committed to building liveable communities in rural and regional Victoria. Some of the key actions we are taking to progress this agenda include: The Community Building Initiative (CBI)62 is a program that works with the communities in and around more than 100 rural towns helping them to identify and meet current and future needs. More information on this initiative can be found in Section 8: Case Studies. Youth Foundations Victoria (YFV)63 offers genuine opportunities for young people to make a real difference to their communities. YFV has been established in 15 communities across Victoria. These programs share some common methods for achieving their aims: - they involve local individuals and organisations in decision making and they help

communities to think about their long-term needs; - they offer flexible funding, so that there is more discretion about what can be

funded and how that funding can be used; and - they build partnerships to tackle local problems – so that people can draw on the

resources that are already in the community and so that individuals and groups work together on local priorities.

Count Us In!64 supports partnerships between community organisations and residential aged care services, aimed at improving the connections between residents

61VCEC 2008, A State of Liveability: An Inquiry into Enhancing Victoria’s Liveability, Final Report, Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission, Victorian, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.vcec.vic.gov.au/CA256EAF001C7B21/0/6ABDED8EE4E5DE3FCA257372000C9834?OpenDocument>. 62Department of Planning and Community Development 2009, Community Building Initiatives website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/web14/dvc/dvcmain.nsf/headingpagesdisplay/building+resilient+communitiescommunity+planningcommunity+building+initiatives>. 63Office for Youth 2009, Department of Planning and Community Development, Youth Foundations Victoria website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.youth.vic.gov.au/web21/ofy/dvcofy.nsf/headingpagesdisplay/grants+and+programsyouth+foundations+victoria>.

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and their local communities with benefits for residents, staff and community members. Justice and safety are also important in building safe and sustainable communities. Justice Strategic Priorities 2009–1065 builds emphasises seven key focus areas, reflecting the priorities of government and the desire to lead and innovate on key issues: - Responding to the Victorian bushfires; - Restructuring the gambling industry/racing industry; - Addressing public safety and crime; - Intervening to minimise social harm from alcohol misuse; - Implementing Justice Statement 266; - Closing the gap between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians; and - Sustainable Justice. 6. Regional Development Victorian Regional Development Policy since 1999 Over the past decade, the Victorian Government has introduced a series of initiatives to encourage growth in Victoria’s regions:

- Growing Victoria Together (GVT) 200167 – which signalled that Government would govern for the whole of the state and ensure that the needs of regional Victoria were not overlooked in the development of policy;

- Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) 200068 – Australia’s first regional development fund dedicated to supporting capital works in regional Victoria;

- Small Towns Development Fund (STDF) 200269 – established as a sub-program of the RIDF targeted at creating opportunities for economic growth and building new social infrastructure in towns with populations of up to 10,000; and

64 Department of Health 2009, Aged Care in Victoria: Count Us in! social inclusion for people living at public sector residential aged care services website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://health.vic.gov.au/agedcare/maintaining/countusin/index.htm>. 65DOJ 2009, Department of Justice Strategic Priorities 2009-10, Department of Justice, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/8b293180404a842f92e1fbf5f2791d4a/CDD_SP09_web.pdf?MOD=AJPERES >. 66Department of Justice 2010, Justice Statement 2 website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/DOJ+Internet/Home/About+Us/Our+Vision/JUSTICE+-+Justice+Statement+2+-+interactive+and+PDF >. 67 Department of Premier and Cabinet 2009, Growing Victoria Together website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/CA256D8000265E1A/page/Growing+Victoria+Together!OpenDocument&1=30-Growing+Victoria+Together~&2=~&3=~ >. 68 Business Victoria 2010,Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.business.vic.gov.au/BUSVIC/STANDARD/1001/PC_60276.html>. 69Business Victoria 2009, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Small Towns Development Fund II (STDF II) Guidelines website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, < http://www.business.vic.gov.au/BUSVIC/STANDARD/PC_61816.html>.

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- Melbourne 2030 200270 and Melbourne@5 Million 200871 – which supported the concept of networked cities built on improved links between regional Victoria and Melbourne.

This commitment to rebuild and revitalise the regions was further strengthened by the establishment of a dedicated statutory body in 2003, Regional Development Victoria (RDV), to facilitate economic, infrastructure and community development to support prosperity and growth in regional Victoria. In 2005, RDV was charged with implementing the Government’s provincial economic statement, Moving Forward: Making Provincial Victoria the Best Place to Live, Work and Invest72. This $502 million package of initiatives over a five year period sought to boost sustainable economic growth and development in regional Victoria. It incorporated the Provincial Victoria Growth Fund to complement the highly successful RIDF, by supporting communities to drive economic and population growth, create new opportunities in business and industry and manage the impacts of growth and change. Regional Strategic Planning Initiative The Government’s regional development policy has evolved from an initial emphasis (in 1999) on restoring basic services and infrastructure, to a focus on industry policy development, investment in infrastructure and managing growth (2003 onwards), to current priorities such as skills development, training, boosting liveability and responding to climate change. In anticipation of the next phase of regional development support to follow Moving Forward, in 2008 the Regional Strategic Planning Initiative (RSPI) was established to develop a framework for more integrated strategic planning in the regions. This initiative is being overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce chaired by the Minister for Regional and Rural Development and underpins the framing of a blueprint for the next decade of regional development.73 Feedback provided through the Ministerial Taskforce’s Regional Exchange Forums emphasised the need to ensure that communities and whole regions are liveable for people of all ages. In addition, there was strong support for the role of government in developing and renewing community infrastructure and in strengthening inter- and intra-regional connectivity to address social isolation and disadvantage.

70 Department of Sustainability and Environment 2005, Melbourne 2030 website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/melbourne2030online/>. 71 Department of Planning and Community Development 2010, Melbourne @ 5 million website, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenpl.nsf/fid/A2EF2115B1FB14E0CA2576A40008BDC6>. 72 Regional Development Victoria 2005, Moving Forward: Making Provincial Victoria the Best Place to Live, Work and Invest, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.business.vic.gov.au/busvicwr/_assets/main/lib60139/pv-movingforward.pdf >. 73 At the time of writing, the blueprint is scheduled for release later this year.

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A discussion paper released in September 2009, titled Provincial Victoria: Directions for the Next Decade74, proposed five strategic directions that will form the basis of the blueprint. The proposed strategic directions, which were strongly endorsed by submissions and online responses to the discussion paper, were: - positioning regional economies for jobs and growth; - connecting up Victoria; - planning for sustainable growth; - making provincial Victoria an even better place to live; and - empowering Victorian communities to plan for their future. The focus of this next phase of regional development will be on ensuring regional Victoria continues to provide a diverse range of attractive, affordable and liveable alternatives to Melbourne, and on addressing the emerging challenges to enhancing the liveability of regional communities. These include: the need for new models of service delivery that ensure that all regional communities have access to good health, community service and education services; better housing choice and diversity, particularly rental and age-appropriate accommodation; and, further development of cultural, sporting and multi-purpose community facilities – all of which will assist with alleviating disadvantage and inequity in regional Victoria. This approach is further supported by recent OECD75 research on regional development practice internationally, highlighting a continuing trend in regional development strategies from a policy of ‘importing growth’ to a clear direction of region-specific packages. Regional policy has evolved from a top-down, subsidy-based group of interventions, designed to reduce regional disparities, into a much broader ‘family’ of long-term development policies designed to improve regional competitiveness. The new paradigm focuses more on local assets rather than on external investments and transfers; on opportunity rather than on disadvantages; and, on negotiated governance agreements involving national, State and local governments as well as other stakeholders. In Australia, this trend is being supported by the impact of the Commonwealth’s National Stimulus package, and the Victorian Government’s ongoing commitment to investment in infrastructure, community facilities, community development and strengthening the strategic planning capacity of Local Governments. It is of interest to note the findings of the recent House of Representative Report on The Global Financial Crisis and regional Australia76 which informed the Federal Government on how to better formulate regional development policy to strengthen the

74 Regional Development Victoria 2009, Provincial Victoria: Directions for the Next Decade, Discussion Paper, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.business.vic.gov.au/busvicwr/_assets/main/lib60244/provincial%20victoria%20directions%20for%20the%20next%20decade%20discussion%20paper._web3.pdf>. 75 OECD Territorial Development Committee 2009, Policy Report, Paris. 76 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development & Local Government 2009, The Global Financial Crisis and regional Australia, Report, Canberra, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.aph.gov.au/House/committee/itrdlg/financialcrisis/report/GFC%20Final%20Report.pdf>.

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economic resilience of our regions. It found that the ability of individual regions to respond to challenges and reach their growth potential is linked to an underpinning of Commonwealth policies focused on infrastructure, education and business support. In particular, it recommended that this be supported by a productive level of co-operation between the three tiers of government, noting that the newly formed Regional Development Australia (RDA) network is well placed to contribute to the generation of community and economic development planning that is specific to and driven by individual regions. In Victoria, RDV provides the administrative support to the RDA network and is well advanced in supporting the regions develop their strategic regional plans through the RSPI. Growth in regional Victoria Supported by significant Victorian Government investment in regional development initiatives, regional and rural Victoria today, is thriving, enjoying strong population and jobs growth, improved services and infrastructure, high levels of investment and expansion in key industries. The following indicators illustrate strong growth in regional Victoria since 2000.

Regional Victoria’s Population Growth

Since 2000, the population of regional Victoria has steadily increased by 9.8 per cent an increase of 129,074 people. A total of 1.45 million people now live in regional Victoria. Figure 3: Population growth in regional Victoria

1,250,000

1,300,000

1,350,000

1,400,000

1,450,000

1,500,000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Popu

latio

n

0.0%

0.5%

1.0%

1.5%

2.0%

2.5%

% G

row

th

Regional Victoria (Population) Regional Victoria % Growth Australia % Growth

Source: ABS cat no. 3218.0 Regional Population Growth

New Jobs in Regional Victoria

Since February 2000, employment in regional Victoria has increased by 21.3 per cent or more than 120,600 employed persons. This strong jobs growth in regional areas has been an important contributor to Victoria’s overall jobs growth.

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Figure 4: Employment Growth in regional Victoria

540

570

600

630

660

690

720

Feb-

00

Feb-

01

Feb-

02

Feb-

03

Feb-

04

Feb-

05

Feb-

06

Feb-

07

Feb-

08

Feb-

09

Feb-

10

'000

Em

ploy

ed in

Reg

iona

l Vic

toria

540

570

600

630

660

690

720

Feb-

00

Feb-

01

Feb-

02

Feb-

03

Feb-

04

Feb-

05

Feb-

06

Feb-

07

Feb-

08

Feb-

09

Feb-

10

Source: ABS cat no. 6291.0.55.001 Labour Force, Australia, Detailed (3 Month moving average)

Doubling in Building Approvals

Strong population and economic growth in regional Victoria have produced dramatic growth in building activity, with the total value building approvals more than doubling since 2000. Figure 5: Total building approvals in regional Victoria

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

$ B

illio

n

Source: Building Commission

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7. Case Studies

The following case studies demonstrate how A Fairer Victoria, and a range of programs and policies outlined in this submission have been implemented in regional Victoria. The case studies illustrate the positive outcomes as a result of the implementation of these initiatives, and the direct impact on individual lives and communities. Case Study 1: Transport Connections Transport Connections helps communities work together on projects to improve local transport. Through local partnerships and the use of existing transport assets and services, communities are able to develop innovative approaches to solving transport problems. These make it easier for people with limited access to transport to take part in community life. More than 32 partnerships across 57 municipalities (primarily in regional and rural areas) have developed in excess of 600 local initiatives. About 60,000 Victorians have taken part in consultations to make better use of existing community resources and services such as taxis, school buses, community buses and volunteers. In consultation with local residents, projects are testing the viability of extended public transport options and have introduced more than 50 new services in various locations across Victoria. Transport Connections has attracted more than $2 million in additional community and private investment to help people with limited transport options increase their level of participation in economic, educational and social activities Driving better outcomes for Indigenous youth Having a driver’s licence has made a big difference to Corey Jack. Like any 19-year-old he is delighted to have the freedom to visit his mates, go to the shops or head for the beach. It has also helped Corey get to and from his job as a vegetable packer at a processing factory on the outskirts of Bairnsdale. He often starts work at 2am and having a car is vital to being on time. “It’s changed my life heaps,” says Corey, one of the many successes to emerge from the Gippsland East Aboriginal Driver Education Program (GEADEP). “You can get up and go whenever you like and not have to worry about asking for lifts all the time.” It’s a similar story in Lake Tyers where 21-year-old Tiffany Tregonning, another GEADEP graduate, is experiencing the freedom of having her licence. This is particularly welcome in Lake Tyers, a relatively remote Indigenous community 43km beyond Lakes Entrance, the nearest service centre. “The best thing has been having more independence for myself,” says Tiffany. It also means she can support her working mother by driving to Bairnsdale each fortnight for the supermarket shopping and assist with childcare for her younger brother. A further positive is that Tiffany, like Corey, is seen as a role model by relatives and peers who have been inspired to go for their Learners and Probationary licences.

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Since it was established three years ago, more than 300 people have taken part in the Aboriginal Driver Education Program. It has helped 138 people onto their L-plates, 82 achieve their probationary licence and 11 their medium rigid licence. In turn, this has led to 42 people finding jobs, 61 enrolling for further education at East Gippsland TAFE and 7 training as mentors to assist others through the program. A related outcome of this project is that over 100 people have been assisted to obtain their identification through accessing birth certificates, registering births for the first time and other official identification, the lack of which had been a barrier to obtaining their drivers licences. GEADEP was researched and developed by the Gippsland East Let’s GET Connected initiative, funded under the Victorian Government’s Transport Connections Program. It is a multi-faceted program which aims to open up pathways for Indigenous people in Gippsland East to get around, connect with community, employment, education and other essential services through providing a culturally sensitive and appropriate driver education program. The program supports include literacy and numeracy training through TAFE providers; car ownership education; assisting participants to gain their ID; and to obtain 120 hours through VicRoads’ L2Ps Program. Mission Australia was selected by local Indigenous services as the lead agency to deliver the program and to work closely in partnership with Let’s GET Connected, East Gippsland and Wellington Shires and indigenous services. More than 30 government and non government agencies, community organisations and the education and transport sectors are or have been involved in the development and implementation of this project. Additional funding has come from a variety of sources, including ExxonMobil, shire councils, Let’s GET Connected, VicRoads, Mission Australia, Fleet Partners and the RACV which has helped pay the way for more than 300 participants to obtain their Learners, Drivers and Endorsed licences. The program was formally established in 2007 following consultation and research undertaken by the Let’s GET Connected project who were also able to successfully engage a partnership with Mission Australia, Indigenous support services, health agencies, the police, state and commonwealth departments, legal services and community groups throughout the region. Unlicensed driving, lack of personal identification, unroadworthy vehicles and a lack of education and support were seen as serious social mobility issues and road safety problems with the Indigenous community at that time. As a result, GEADEP has a strong emphasis on ensuring that the Indigenous community are able to access everyday activities and programs which the majority of the population take for granted such as driver training, road safety, access to vehicles, literacy and numeracy support, ID support, mentoring, advocacy and opening up channels to further education and employment opportunities. Overall, this program is definitely driving better outcomes for Indigenous youth and their families in East Gippsland. As Corey Jack’s mother Eileen says: “It gives them

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more confidence. They’re not waiting around for ‘mum’ all the time now so it’s good for everyone.” Case Study 2: Best start for Koorie children in Gippsland A cross-community program in the Gippsland region has seen fantastic results in helping Indigenous children make the difficult leap from home to school. Serving the Morwell and Drouin areas, the Djillay Lidji Best Start pilot project was designed to ensure a smooth transition into education by minimising the cultural gap between schools and the communities they serve. Senior early childhood project officer Marge Arnup said the aim was to make families more comfortable with the school system by adjusting the services on offer. “The project was about working with families to find out what they needed and with kindergartens and schools to find out what they need to be more culturally inclusive and respectful,” Ms Arnup said. The region had a history of children turning up at schools without prior enrolment or proper documentation, and kindergartens that often had no vacancies because parents had lacked the confidence, skills or knowledge to seek assistance or advice. “Children might not have arrived on the first day because they weren’t sure when it was, or might not have known what they needed,” Ms Arnup said. As well as improving cultural awareness, the pilot program introduced a number of simple, practical steps including backpacks and lunchboxes, forms to help families access available funding, and a calendar informing parents of key school dates. Transport was also provided to help children attend schools and kindergartens where there were vacancies, allowing students to stay with peers from the same community, even if the campus was some distance from their homes. “Students like to go in a cultural group,” Ms Arnup said. “Attendance tends to be much stronger if other Indigenous students are there.” Pete Hanratty, principal at Morwell’s Crinigan Road Primary, said the project had significantly improved both student attendance and participation at his school. Throughout first semester, two Koorie workers regularly attended classes and made home visits, helping families and students to become more involved in school life. “In the past, Koorie families were reluctant to come up to the school, weren’t aware of school processes and didn’t know much about things like uniform and what constituted a healthy lunch,” Mr Hanratty said. “Feedback we’ve had now is that families are delighted with how welcoming the school is and teachers are saying these kids are the most social kids we’ve ever had. It’s been a very, very powerful program.” Case Study 3: Peter Harcourt Disability Services – Changing Days Initiative The Changing Days Initiative seeks to progress the reorientation of Disability Day services to provide greater flexibility and choice to people with a disability in how they use the supports available to them.

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The Bendigo-based Peter Harcourt Disability Services (PHDS) commenced a project through the Disability Services Changing Days Initiative, to ‘take the service to the people’, rather than having people travel long distances from remote locations to attend a Disability Day Service. This specific project aimed to link people with disabilities living in rural communities into their local community. Day Service supports were initially provided to people in Heathcote, Wedderburn and Elmore and were extended northwest of Bendigo to Bridgwater, Inglewood, Charlton and Pyramid Hill. All of the people supported had previously travelled to Bendigo to attend the PHDS centre based service. Participants were supported by a rural outreach worker funded through the Changing Days initiative to identify goals and interests that were connected to their own communities. The local Council provided office accommodation for the rural outreach worker and the local guide hall next door was offered as a place where people could access community-based leisure and recreation options. The people involved in the project now have a variety of real connections with their community and are supported both formally and informally to be a part of local activities and events. As a result of new community connections, participants have gained part time employment, some are involved in community based life skills activities, and others are involved in activities run by the community house and the local pony club. To date, twelve people with a disability have accessed support from the Rural Outreach program. This number is more than double the original target, and one that will be expanded on, given appropriate resources. In terms of the overall goal of improving local access and connection, people with a disability (who have previously travelled long distances for service) realised that their ‘natural support’ networks rest in their own community. Individual stories from participants of the program: - Mark∗ is volunteering at the local bakery and his success enabled him to get a part

time job at that business. He is also involved in a woodwork program at the community house which he now does independently. Another goal of Mark’s was to become more financially independent and with the assistance of the bank tellers at the local bank, Mark now operates and controls his own bank account. A specific goal for Mark was to increase communication with community members. Community members report that the increase in his communication and by extension his self confidence has been dramatic.

- Simon∗ has made tremendous gains in community connections. Simon was isolated from the community and today he is confidently exiting his taxi on arrival at the community centre, entering shops and unfamiliar buildings in the community to engage in new activities. This was a stated goal in Simon's individual plan and while these may seem like insignificant achievements, in Simon’s world of autism, the gains are monumental. This is validated by Simon’s family.

∗ Names have been changed for confidentiality purposes.

- Jason∗ and his family have commuted from Charlton to Bendigo each week day (approximately 110km each way) for Jason to access Day Services and supported employment. PHDS are currently negotiating a partnership with Inglewood Health Group to provide a ‘Men in Sheds’ program at Inglewood which will reduce Jason’s travel and provide increased community participation with a range of community members including other people with a disability that currently have minimal or no service in the area.

- Meg∗ is participating fully in community life. She is involved in the local car club and participating in her local netball team, as part of the Bridgewater Football Netball Club. Her valued status within her community is an endorsement of her own self confidence, the support of her family, and the support of the community.

Case Study 4: Community Building Initiative The Community Building Initiative (CBI) brings residents, businesses, government and local organisations together to think about and set the priorities of their community and then together they work to make the projects a reality.

Bunyip and Garfield Community Building Initiative - Bunyip Auditorium Twenty one years ago a member of the Bunyip community had a dream to create a multipurpose facility to bring the town together and support the local schools through the provision of a sporting facility and auditorium. This project has now been made a reality through the CBI. Whilst the vision for the project occurred some years ago, the desire for a multipurpose facility in Bunyip remained. In 2005 the proposal for the multipurpose facility was put to Council, but not supported due to concerns about how the building would be maintained and managed. After key community projects were identified at the CBI Community Opportunity Workshop in 2007, the Bunyip Multipurpose Auditorium became one of five community led projects. The project involved the design, construction and management of the $2.15 million facility. A community project group was formed and through the Bunyip and Garfield CBI governance, structure two members were selected to form part of the CBI steering committee. 2008 marked the success of the project’s first funding applications from the Macpherson Smith Community Alliance of $100,000, following approval for $1.1 million from Cardinia Shire Council. In 2009 the project was further financially supported by Bunyip’s local Bendigo Bank branch with $50,000. the Department of Planning and Community Development’s (DPCD’s) Community Support Grant Fund approved $500,000 in addition to the Federal Government infrastructure allocation of $400,000. The local community shop also showed support for the facility with a grant of $10,000. The facility caters for local education, presentation and award ceremonies, local events and entertainment, community group meetings and the sport and recreation needs of the community. The facility has been designed to include a meeting room, portable stage, single basketball court, change room facilities, kiosk and spectator seating for up to 1200 persons. It is located at the Bunyip Recreation Reserve, Nar Nar Goon Longwarry Road, Bunyip. ∗ Names have been changed for confidentiality purposes.

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Case Study 5: Corio Norlane Regeneration A radical education overhaul in Corio and Norlane will boost life chances and options for young people. The Corio Norlane Education Regeneration Project is reorganising and rebuilding schools in northern Geelong to create ‘community schools’ which integrate education, family and community services. The priority is to significantly boost the outlook for local young people by improving their learning and development and supporting them to make successful transitions into adult life. Urban Renewal in Corio Norlane The education revolution is critically linked to the Corio Norlane Urban Renewal Project led by DPCD in partnership with Major Projects Victoria. It builds on the Neighbourhood Renewal project established in Corio Norlane in 2002. Set to complete in 2010, Neighbourhood Renewal has united the skills, resources and ideas of local people, government, the local council, community and business groups to deliver over $34 million for over 1430 housing upgrades and immediate improvement works, the creation of 624 new local jobs and additional training opportunities. The Corio Norlane Urban Renewal project will coordinate and integrate existing and future government investment to facilitate residential and industrial development and deliver key community infrastructure, urban design improvements, transport and community programs. It will build on $210 million in capital funding already invested in Corio Norlane ($120 million from the Australian Government, $86 million from the Victorian Government and $4 million of in-kind contributions from the City of Greater Geelong). Corio Norlane Urban Renewal is a ‘whole-of-government’ project, acknowledging that transformational change in Corio Norlane will be a long term, coordinated effort. Existing and planned investments in education, housing, infrastructure and programs will be brought together to jointly revitalise Corio Norlane. Many existing and proposed support services focus on young people, such as school breakfast clubs, before and after school activities and programs to provide pathways into employment. Regenerating schools in Corio Norlane The Education Regeneration project will ensure the momentum of Neighbourhood and Urban Renewal continues in Corio Norlane. Its driving force is to unite the major influences in young people’s lives of school, family and community to significantly improve their learning and development. Nine schools are being reorganised into a federation of five schools with students to be grouped according to stages of development. Subject to funds being available for the establishment of early years facilities on the school sites, it is proposed that there will be three Kindergarten–Year 8 sites and one Kindergarten–Year 6 site. There will also be a school for Years 9–12 that will include a special campus for Year 9 and which has an existing child care service. All schools will have modern environments that support new teaching approaches to improve student learning and development.

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This federation of schools will coordinate teaching programs and work closely with support services to ensure a smooth transition for students from kindergarten through their school years and on to further education, training or employment. Schools will have an important community role Co-locating other family and community services at the schools is vital to their regeneration. An important part of urban renewal is about creating “community hubs” for residents to easily access educational, community services and recreational opportunities. Schools in Corio Norlane will become community hubs that provide better access to health, social and training services for local people. For example, the Department of Human Services is considering co-locating child protection services at some schools and one school already houses some family services. This will mean better connections between residents and the school community to create a positive association with the school and lift expectations that parents have for their children. Improving access to further education and training is also a focus, with potential for the local TAFE to offer classes to students and residents at the senior school which will also include a Commonwealth-funded Trade Training Centre. A collaborative effort Local people have a significant role and voice in the planning and design of the education revolution underway in Corio Norlane. Residents are building their capacity to work with others, boosting the sense of community and confidence in the area and for the future. There is now strong community commitment to education in Corio Norlane and to giving young people the best possible start in life. Case Study 6: Wendouree West Community Learning Hub The ambitious Wendouree West Neighbourhood Renewal project in Ballarat worked on multiple fronts from 2001–2009 to improve the local area and boost opportunities for residents. At its heart was a shared vision for new assets and services that promote life-long learning across the community, with a priority on improving the outlook for young people. How the project worked Extensive research into local issues and new international approaches to community building underpin Neighbourhood Renewal in Wendouree West. The principles of collaboration and inclusion have driven its success, with residents having a key role in identifying community needs and taking ownership of initiatives to improve their lives. Key partners were the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), the City of Ballarat and community organisations as well as business groups and Victoria Police. Positive change underway in Wendouree West The neighbourhood renewal project has transformed the Wendouree West environment and local opportunities for residents. Practical and visible improvements include over $16 million for over 800 major housing upgrades and immediate improvement works, a new train station, and approximately $1.4 million for the revitalisation of recreational and sporting facilities and a run-down shopping strip.

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Numerous community-owned organisations established under the project continue to thrive and help build the knowledge, skills and connections of residents. Approximately 265 new jobs and additional opportunities for learning and personal growth have been created, and education is now a key community priority. Kindergarten attendance is now at 96 per cent, a significant increase from 2002. A community learning hub The project’s flagship success to date is the Wendouree West Community Learning Hub, a significant new resource that is a hive of neighbourhood activity. Offering diverse and integrated education, health and community facilities on a single site, the hub provides an outstanding example of what can be achieved when government, community agencies and local residents work together to achieve a shared vision. The new $10.85 million hub’s funding partners included the DEECD, DHS, DPCD and local government. The hub has given residents a positive focus and powerful resource. It boasts a brand new school and kindergarten, maternal health services, child care facilities, information technology, adult education, a men’s shed, youth services and a neighbourhood house. It also houses Wendouree West Wellbeing, a community-owned and managed organisation that promotes community building and empowerment. There are learning and meeting spaces, sporting and recreational assets and a community-operated gym. The new Yuille Park Community College is the centrepiece of the hub. Operating since late 2008, the Prep–Year 8 school provides a modern and welcoming environment that is encouraging student attendance and learning and promoting community participation. Its facilities were carefully designed to link with other family services in the hub, such as the kindergarten. Facilities its shares with the community include a library, multi-purpose and performance spaces, sports facilities as well as a computer centre, commercial kitchen, art studio and specialist workshops and music centre. Lasting positive change The hub has generated multiple benefits for the people of Wendouree West. Community pride and participation has increased as the quality and integration of local assets and services improves. Occasional care is operating at capacity, kindergarten enrolments have almost doubled since 2007, and school enrolments have grown 11 by per cent in the last year. School students are attending school more regularly – absenteeism went from an average of 23 days per pupil in 2008 to 8.1 in 2009. People from across the community are attracted to the hub, improving interactions between generations and the contributions people make to their local area. Local people have also significantly built their capacity to work with others. Case Study 7: Fairer Health Case Studies Fairer Health: case studies on improving health for all77 was published in 2009. It includes a number of approaches to tackle health inequalities - some which aim to 77 DHS 2009, Fairer health: Case studies on improving health for all, Department of Human Services, Victoria, viewed 7 April 2010, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/healthpromotion/downloads/fairer_health.pdf>.

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reduce the disadvantage and discrimination that lead to ill-health and exclusion, others which promote health for all Victorians or focus on the quality, affordability and accessibility of services. A number of these case studies are based in regional Victoria, these include: - Mental Health and Homelessness Partnership; - Connecting Young Parents; - Connect Central; - WayOut; - Adds Up; - Transport Connections – Southern Mallee and Wimmera; - NEAMI Smoke-free psychiatric services; - The Ballarat Maternity Unit Indigenous Antenatal Program; and - Adolescent Antenatal Care and Education Program.

Appendix 1: Public Data Sets on Rural and Regional Disadvantage

Population group disaggregation

Measure

Sample and method

Regularity

Lowest level geography

Age

Sex

Indi

geno

us

CA

LD

Low

SE

S

More info

Population

Census of Population and Housing – ABS – Data can be obtained for small areas (down to Collector Districts), on population demographics, education, employment, dwellings, home ownership, housing costs, family characteristics, income, migration, internet connections and motor vehicles. The 2006 Census also included questions on caring, housework, and disability.

Census of the population

Every 5 years Collector district www.abs.gov.au

Towns in time and Suburbs in time – DPCD – Time trends of social and demographic features of select suburbs and towns using the ABS census data from 1981 through to 2006. Topics include population, age structure, dwellings and labour force characteristics.

Calculated from the Census

Every five years Towns and suburbs

www.dpcd.vic.gov.au

Victoria in future – DPCD – population and household projections for Victoria, Melbourne and regional Victoria through to 2051 and for each of the State’s LGAs through to 2031 based on current social and demographic trends.

LGA www.dpcd.vic.gov.au

Disability Small Area Estimates - National Disability Administrators – estimates of disability produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in partnership with members of the National Disability Administrators

Calculated from the Census

Once off LGA

New settler arrivals – DIMIA – Settlement Database. Intended LGA of residence after arrival of those granted permanent residency.

Administrative collection

Continuous LGA www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/

Overall socio-economic status

Page 41 of 47 pages

Population group disaggregation

Measure

Sample and method

Regularity

Lowest level geography

Age

Sex

Indi

geno

us

CA

LD

Low

SE

S

More info

Socio-economic Indices for Areas (SEIFA) – ABS – (cat no. 2039.0) calculated from the ABS Census of Population and Housing. Five indices: - Advantage/Disadvantage - Disadvantage - Economic resources - Education and occupation

Census of the population

Every 5 years Collector district www.abs.gov.au

Indicators of Community Strength Survey – Could not raise $2000 in two days in an emergency – DPCD – A measure of economic capacity designed to determine those in significant disadvantage. Those who could not are at significant risk of negative events (such as the break down of a car) becoming catastrophic (leading to the loss of a job)

CATI survey of 35550 Victorians aged 18+:

2008 – to be repeated every 3 years

LGA www.dpcd.vic.gov.au

Income

Centrelink data – Centrelink – Statistics are available on the number of recipients of Centrelink benefits and the types of benefits for each postcode in Australia. Types of benefits include: Age Pension, Disability Support, Newstart, Rent Assistance.

Administrative collection

Continuous Small areas www.centrelink.gov.au under ‘About Us – Facts and Figures’

Household Income and Income Distribution Survey – ABS – (cat no. 6523.0) Product arising from the ABS Household Expenditure Survey (HES) and the Survey of Income and Housing (SIH)

Household Survey: 6800 hhs (HES) & 10600 hhs (SIH) in Australia

Biannual 2007-08 latest release Next issue Sep 2011

State

Education and Work Survey – ABS – (cat no. 6227.0) Household Survey - 7/8ths of the ABS Labour Force Survey sample

Annual – May

2009 released

Melb/Rest of State

Household Wealth and Wealth Distribution Survey – ABS – (cat no. 6554.0) Product arising from the ABS Household Expenditure Survey (HES) and the Survey of Income

Household Survey: 6800 hhs (HES) & 10600

Biannual Capital City/Balance of

Page 42 of 47 pages

Population group disaggregation

Measure

Sample and method

Regularity

Lowest level geography

Age

Sex

Indi

geno

us

CA

LD

Low

SE

S

More info

and Housing (SIH)

hhs (SIH) in Australia

2005-06

Next issue late 2011

State

Household wealth – Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics – Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Local Government (Commonwealth)

From ABS Survey of Income and Housing

Once off - 2009 Statistical Local Area

http://www.btre.gov.au/index.aspx

Household, Income and Labour Dynamics Survey (HILDA) - Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research

7682 household interviews

Annual www.melbourneinstitute.com/hilda/

Financial counselling service dataset – DOJ – Number of substantiative counselling client’s cases closed in a given financial year.

Administrative collection

Continuous – reported by financial year

Employment/workforce participation

Labour Force Australia Survey – ABS – (cat no. 6202.0) 67000 persons responding in household interviews

Monthly (summary) & quarterly (detailed)

State

Melb/balance

Labour Force regions

Education and Work Survey – ABS – (see above)

Labour Market Employment Data – DEWR – Labour Market Information Portal for small area labour market data including: - indicators of employment and labour force - unemployment rate - vacancies and employment services

Derived from ABS Labour Force Survey of 29,000 Australian households ~0.3 % of population

Quarterly Statistical Local Area

http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Publications/LabourMarketAnalysis/SmallAreaLabourMarkets-Australia.htm

Page 43 of 47 pages

Population group disaggregation

Measure

Sample and method

Regularity

Lowest level geography

Age

Sex

Indi

geno

us

CA

LD

Low

SE

S

More info

Housing

Valuer-General Data on property valuations – VGV oversees all significant government property valuations and council rating valuations.

From house sales data

Quarterly Town/suburb

Public housing stock – Office of Housing Administrative collection

Continuous Local Government Area

Rental report – Office of Housing - key statistics on the private rental market in Victoria. Residential Tenancies Bond Authority

Quarterly Town/suburb http://www.housing.vic.gov.au/publications/reports/reports/rental-report

Access to services and infrastructure

Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) – GISCA – Distance by road from a locality to different categories of towns to determine accessibility to services, etc.

2001

Households with no internet connection – ABS Census of population and Housing (above)

Census of the population

Every 5 years Collector district www.abs.gov.au

Maternal & Child Health Service visits (0–3 years) – DEECD - Children who have visited the Maternal & Child Health Service in the last financial year, as a proportion of all the children of that age the Service has records for

Administrative collection

Continuous LGA http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ocecd/earlychildhood/library/data.html

Indicators of Community Strength - DPCD – residents perception of their local areas: access to services and facilities, access to recreational and leisure facilities, access to opportunities to volunteer; access to community and support groups

CATI survey of 35550 Victorians aged 18+:

2008 – to be repeated every 3 years

LGAs www.dpcd.vic.gov.au

Transport

Page 44 of 47 pages

Population group disaggregation

Measure

Sample and method

Regularity

Lowest level geography

Age

Sex

Indi

geno

us

CA

LD

Low

SE

S

More info

Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity (VISTA) – DOI – Survey of day-to-day household travel behaviour. Conducted in metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, and the regional centres of Ballarat, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton and Latrobe

17100 households. Self completion travel diary

2007-2008 and 2009-2010

LGA

Public Transport – Disability Discrimination Act Compliance Reporting Administrative collection

Yearly State www.transport.vic.gov.au

ABS Census

Education and Training

Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) – RCH – a population measure of young children's development. Measures five areas of child development:

- Physical health and wellbeing - Social competence - Emotional maturity - Language and cognitive skills, and - Communication skills and general knowledge.

Census of children in first year of formal schooling. Teacher completed 100Q checklist

2009 Suburbs www.rch.org.au/aedi

Pre school enrolments – DEECD – Number of children enrolled in preschool programs and stand alone kindergartens

Administrative collection

Annual

Summary Statistics for Victorian Schools – DEECD Biannually www.education.vic.gov.au/about/publications/newsinfo/factsandfigures.htm

Education and Work Survey – ABS – (see above)

Census of Population and Housing – ABS – (see above)

Page 45 of 47 pages

Population group disaggregation

Measure

Sample and method

Regularity

Lowest level geography

Age

Sex

Indi

geno

us

CA

LD

Low

SE

S

More info

On Track – DEECD - destinations of Victorian students shortly after they leave school from years 10, 11 & 12, with a longitudinal study developing a more detailed picture of transitions over the 4 years since they leave school.

Gov Regions www.education.vic.gov.au/sensec

youth/ontrack/

The Victorian Child and Adolescent Monitoring System (VCAMS) – DEECD - provides a comprehensive overview of the way in which the service system, the community and the family all interact to determine the wellbeing of children, and provides a sound basis for government planning and intervention.

Administrative collection and survey data

Annual www.education.vic.gov.au/researchinnovation/vcams/default.htm

Health

The Victorian Population Health Survey – DH - chronic disease risk factors, self – reported health, selected health conditions, indicators community strength, health screening

7500 CATI surveys 18+ annually with every three years 35550 to get LGA estimates

Annual since 2001 Gov Regions and LGAs

Health Status – DH – range of data on health status (including the Victorian Population Health Survey), health surveillance information system reports, health service utilisation data and Victoria’s burden of disease

Various LGA www.health.vic.gov.au/healthstatus/

Social participation

Indicators of Community Strength - DPCD – community participation, social isolation and opportunities to participate

CATI survey of 35550 Victorians aged 18+:

2008 – to be repeated every 3 years

LGAs www.dpcd.vic.gov.au

General Social Survey – ABS – (cat no. 4159.0) Topics include support outside household, contact with family/friends, social activities, voluntary work, cultural/leisure activities or venues attended, sporting events attended

15000 hhs Aust, personal & CATI

2002, 2006, 2010 (released March 2011)

Capital City/Rest of State

www.abs.gov.au

Page 46 of 47 pages

Population group disaggregation

Measure

Sample and method

Regularity

Lowest level geography

Age

Sex

Indi

geno

us

CA

LD

Low

SE

S

More info

Australian Sports Commissions Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) - DPCD - participation in sport and recreation

5500 per year Aged 15+ per year: CATI

Annual since 2001 Gov Regions, LGA from multiple years of data

Australian Sports Commission website

Positive socialisation

Indicators of Community Strength – DPCD – feels safe on the street, feels multiculturalism makes life in the area better

CATI survey of 35550 Victorians aged 18+:

2008 – to be repeated every 3 years

LGAs www.dpcd.vic.gov.au

Involvement in decision-making

Indicators of Community Strength – DPCD – feels safe on the street, feels multiculturalism makes life in the area better

CATI survey of 35550 Victorians aged 18+:

2008 – to be repeated every 3 years

LGAs www.dpcd.vic.gov.au

Crime

Crime Statistics – Victoria Police - Victoria Administrative collection

Annual Victoria Police Regions

www.police.vic.gov.au

Crime Victimisation – ABS - Cat. no. 4530.0 Administrative collection

Annual State/territory www.abs.gov.au

Problem gambling

Gambling patterns in the community from a population health perspective CATI survey of 15,000 Victorian adults

2008 LGAs www.oesc.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/justlib/doj+internet/home/gambling+and+racing/problem+gambling/justice+-+problem+gambling+-+weblink

Page 47 of 47 pages