City of Greater Shepparton

City of Greater Shepparton

URL: http://www.greatershepparton.com.au/residents/cultureandcommunitystrengthening/neighbourhoodrenewal/

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Neighbourhood Renewal

Artwork created as part of the arts project

Neighbourhood Renewal is being led by the Office of Housing (OoH) in the Department of Human Services as part of the government’s A Fairer Victoria Agenda.

The Victorian Government wants to narrow the gap between the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Victoria and the rest of the State by working with local communities, businesses and those providing community services.
To achieve this, Neighbourhood Renewal:

• Increases resident's pride and participation in their community 
• Enhances local housing and the environment 
• Lifts employment, education and training opportunities and expands local economies 
• Improves personal safety and reduces crime 
• Promotes health and wellbeing 
• Increases access to services and ensures they quickly respond to local needs

The official conclusion date of the eight year funded Neighbourhood Renewal journey is 30 June 2010. Residents, community, Government, service providers and businesses will continue to support the wider community following the funded period.

North Shepparton Communtiy Action Plan 2010-2012

The new North Shepparton Community Action Plan 2010 - 2012 provides a list of actions that have been developed as a result of broad community consultation and commitment by Government, service organisations and the community.
The North Shepparton Community Action Plan 2010 - 2012 builds on the achievements of the 2003-2006 and 2007-2010 action plans and will guide the community in the next phase of its rejuvenation journey.

Current Projects

• Community Lead Projects:
  A monthly community magazine is produced and distributed to residents in the Neighbourhood Renewal area and surrounding businesses.
• The implementation of the North Shepparton Community Action Plan 2010-2012 is an ongoing process. The Action Plan outlines the future vision for the North Shepparton community and demonstrates how community, Government, service providers and business will work together to respond to community needs. 
• The North Shepparton Community Hub is nearing completion. Once open, the Hub will be the home of North Shepparton Community Learning Centre, maternal and child health services, a social enterprise training cafe, meeting rooms and a range of locally-based services that will benefit the whole community.
• North Shepparton Community Garden - work is soon to commence on the new Community Garden located at the North Shepparton Community Hub. The design for the garden was the result of extensive consultation with the community. Work to establish the garden will be carried out by local TAFE students and the community. The garden will be a valuable asset for the area with plenty of seating, disability access and a demonstration bench which can be utilised for both formal and informal learning sessions. The garden will build community connections by bringing a range of groups together including residents, users of the Hub, school students, TAFE students, members of the local Men's Group and the wider community.
  

What has been achieved?

Pride and Participation

One of the goals achieved by the Neighbourhood Renewal Project was improving community participation, pride and sense of belonging among residents. Throughout 2008 the Community Voice Group held a monthly Neatest Front Yard Competition. Over 70 households participated in the competition which not only increased community pride, but also enhanced the appearance of the area.

Housing and Physical Environment

The redevelopment of Parkside Estate began in 2005 after extensive consultation with stakeholders. Changes included the demolition of cluster units and other public housing residences resulting in land for 92 new private housing blocks, landscaped parklands and the site for the new community hub. The increase in private housing has reduced the proportion of public housing in the Estate. Other changes to the area include two new neighbourhood parks and the realignment of roads which improved safety and access. The redevelopment also included upgrades to every public housing property in Parkside Estate with improvements to flooring, painting and kitchen and bathroom fittings, as well as external improvements such as lighting, fencing and carports.

Education, Employment and Economic Activity

Just Romans was a social enterprise program which ran for four years as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal Project. The Just Romans program involved participants manufacturing and fitting roman blinds and other energy saving fittings into homes. This program provided the opportunity for eighteen unemployed Parkside Estate residents to gain work experience and build up their skills and confidence, enabling them to move into the workforce.

Health and Wellbeing

Wild on the Web was a Health and Wellbeing program which provided the opportunity for people with disabilities to learn how to use the internet. This program gave participants, aged between 18 and 60, the skills to use social networking websites which increased opportunities for social interaction, connectedness and independence.

Crime and Safety

There has been a significant reduction in crime in Parkside Estate since the commencement of Neighbourhood Renewal. The Parkside Estate community have worked closely with Victoria Police to improve relationships and increase awareness about crime and safety.

In 2008 the Parkside Estate redevelopment was awarded a Certificate of Merit in the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards. This award recognises the impact the redevelopment has had in significantly improving safety in Parkside Estate.
In 2009 residents and Victoria Police attended a Crime and Safety Forum which led to improvements in the way crime and safety issues were reported. An outcome of this forum was the creation of a 1800 phone line for residents to use to report crime issues.

Government Responsiveness

Throughout Neighbourhood Renewal residents of Parkside Estate have had improved access to services. An ex-Office of Housing property was upgraded and became the Contact Point, a central, local place for residents to access Neighbourhood Renewal, Office of Housing and Centrelink staff and services.