By Luke Voogt
COVID-19 has “amplified” disadvantage in Whittington, Corio, Norlane and North Shore, according to a new Deakin University report.
The Strategies for Alleviating Locational Disadvantage in Geelong report found the pandemic “compounded many entrenched issues” like high unemployment, homelessness and financial stress.
This led to “social isolation, barriers to remote learning and poorer health outcomes”, the report said.
The suburbs are home to about 27,400 residents, with most born in Australia but many also hailing from countries like England, Croatia, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Geelong council noted the report identified “opportunities to further tackle disadvantage” in these suburbs.
The report makes the following recommendations:
• Address priority areas such as housing stress, Indigenous health and wellbeing, mental health, domestic violence and place-based stigma;
• Respect, trust and listen to residents while working with them;
• Explore options to work with employment organisations and programs such as the Regional Industry Sector Employment Program (RISE), and extend Northern Futures to Whittington;
• Ensure domestic violence and mental health programs are active in these suburbs; and
• Identify and address gaps in social infrastructure such as neighbourhood houses, sporting facilities and parks.
The report details how locals of these suburbs believe the ways in which new initiatives are approached can be more important than the programs themselves.
Council plans to hold workshops and engagement sessions to refine the recommendations and develop an action plan for the next financial year.
“This report gives us the evidence and a voice to continue our campaign to advocate for these community members and restore their hope,” Windermere ward councillor Anthony Aitken said.
“We want to be a council that doesn’t leave people behind and I look forward to the action plan that will be developed.”
Council highlighted its recent $44.84 million commitment to a new Northern Aquatic and Community Hub and its plans for more social housing.
Council also highlighted its recent $350,000 grant for the Norlane Bowling Club this year and millions of dollars allocated towards upgrading Corio sporting facilities and Labuan Square in Norlane.
