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Victoria’s peak social advocacy body is seeking a shift in the way entrenched poverty and disadvantage are tackled.
In its new policy report, Communities Taking Power, the Victorian Council of Social Service calls for communities to take a more active role in finding solutions to social challenges.
Every Victorian MP, council and community leader will receive a blueprint for place-based policy making.
“The time for ‘one size fits all’ policy responses has long past,” VCOSS chief executive officer Emma King said.
“We know there are some things that need to be systemic, but others are about enabling local solutions
“Governments, businesses and community organisations must jointly adapt interventions, support and services to suit local circumstances.”
A central Victorian initiative is leading the way in collaborative problem solving.
The VCOSS report cited Maryborough-based Go Goldfields as a strong example of communities working together to address social challenges.
The Go Goldfields Alliance was formed following a meeting of a group of service leaders in 2010.
Based on their analysis of the social issues in the Central Goldfields shire, community members and leaders from services and government agencies have been working together to improve the situation for those most in need of help.
Maryborough was identified as one of the six most disadvantaged postcodes in Victoria in the Dropping off the edge 2015 report.
Long-term unemployment, a lack of disability support and poor internet connectivity contributed to the rating.
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Ms King praised Go Goldfields and its success in starting to “shift the dial” on social challenges.
“They have been able to show, as a community, they can identify critical areas that need to be changed as a community,” she said.
She believes Bendigo is perfectly placed to tap into the wealth of information available about the municipality’s social challenges and deliver great change.
“Bendigo has brilliant data around looking at the key needs of the community,” Ms King said.
“It’s really looking at how you can use that data to change the life trajectory for people in Bendigo and the region for the better.”
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The Dropping off the edge report found parts of the City of Greater Bendigo were among the most disadvantaged areas in Victoria.
An analysis of 22 indicators found the Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat and Eaglehawk areas were among the least well off.
Ms King said consideration should be given to what communities need, what the community sector could deliver, and what the government could do to help.
The blueprint describes the need for shared leadership, data, joint funding of local initiatives, building the local economy, and a focus on prevention in place-based policymaking.
The Communities Taking Power report also outlines ways in which community organisations could be supported to tackle such challenges, including a suggested social innovation fund.
“It’s not about reinventing the wheel, it’s about looking at what data is there and identifying gaps,” Ms King said.
“If all the existing measures were working perfectly, we wouldn’t see the pockets of disadvantage we see now.
“That’s not to take away from existing services, which are doing the best they can, it’s enabling additional resourcing where it’s needed and letting people do what’s needed at a local level.”