New study highlights Corio “disadvantage”

Andrew Mathieson
Corio is one of Victoria’s most disadvantaged postcodes, according to a new study.
Jesuit Social Services’ Dropping Off The Edge report said Corio was the state’s 14th poorest postcode.
The study researched more than 700 Victorian communities, pinpointing 40 that failed to meet standards in education and training, employment and health.
Child neglect and imprisonment were also problems in socially disadvantaged communities.
Postcodes surrounding East Geelong, including Newcomb, Whittington, St Albans Park and Breakwater, also made the top-30 list.
Project manager Father Peter Norden said the findings were “astounding” given increases in prosperity over the past few years.
Federal member for Corio Gavan O’Connor attended a reception at parliament house on Wednesday for the launch of the report.
Mr O’Connor said the report demonstrated how Corio had been “left behind in the economic stakes”.
“This report makes the point that these people (in Corio) are eventually lost to the economy because of their education,” he said.
“Corio hasn’t shared in the prosperity of the past decade.”
Mr O’Connor blamed a lack of coordination between Commonwealth and State Government for preventing attempts to solve one of Corio’s biggest problems – a shortage of public housing.
“We had a very modest plan about a year ago to make an attempt in that area and we fell down when the State Government refused to give us some land.”
Mr O’Connor supported recommendations in the report to break the endemic cycle of poverty, including free early childhood education for three and four-year-olds.