Andrew Mathieson
High rates of warring neighbours have prompted State Government to boost its ranks of mediators in Geelong’s northern suburbs.
The Government sent an extra 21 mediators into the suburbs last week after launching the state’s first dispute settlement centre at Cloverdale Community Centre last year.
The mediation program aims to resolve disputes over issues such as fences, overhanging trees and barking dogs before disagreements disintegrate into assault, criminal damage or harassment.
The program also seeks to avoid potentially costly and distressing court action between disgruntled residents.
Geelong dispute resolution co-ordinator Pamela Clark said the induction of the 21 new mediators was in proportion to the number of disputes at Corio and Norlane.
“The Corio and Norlane area does have high crime statistics because it’s a disadvantaged area,” Ms Clark said.
“Because there is high unemployment and a high proportion of public housing, generally they are going to have higher rates (of conflict) in that area.”
Ms Clark said the mediation program offered a “better resolution”, with at least 85 per cent of cases ending in agreement.
The outcome rate indicated a high level of satisfaction with the service, she said.
“They feel more comfortable with a local Geelong person answering their disputes rather than someone in Melbourne who doesn’t feel that they know what is happening in Geelong.”
Ms Clark said the dispute settlement centre did not mediate cases of physical violence or issues related to children.
The centre was also required under the Evidence Act to keep mediation confidential.