Analysis of Health Priorities - Access to Services
Priority 1: Respond to the needs priorities of Corio Norlane through place based approaches
Place is important as it provides the location context for everyday life. Place based approaches seek to improve the social, cultural, economic and physical environment within a defined boundary, in order to improve overall health and reduce the differences in health among the people living in that area (Warr et al 2008).
The Corio Norlane Development Advisory Board (CN DAB) is the ‘voice’ of Corio Norlane encompassing the views of residents and key stakeholders. The CN DAB evolved from the Community Reference Committee (CRC), which was established to support the implementation of the whole of government and community Neighbourhood Renewal project. The CN DAB builds the capacity of all residents and key stakeholders to identify and respond to local issues and priorities. This is achieved through promoting a coordinated and integrated top-down bottom-up approach that engages the community, service providers, all tiers of government and the private sector in designing and delivering sustainable solutions.
The value of taking a place based approach is evident in the achievements of CN DAB projects. Working co-operatively with local partners, interlinked projects are working to promote access to resources and facilities, improve physical environments, enhance social goods (such as a sense of safety and security), and facilitate participation in decision-making processes (for examples of previously collaborative work refer to the Case Studies on page 21) (Warr et al 2008).
Priority 2: Strengthen the capacity of the community to manage and sustain themselves
In Corio Norlane, the CN DAB continues to empower community members to become community leaders and participate at all levels of decision making advocating for ‘local solutions to local problems’. Many residents now sit on various committees and continue to encourage the contribution of other community members to become leaders as well. Research demonstrates that successful community strengthening strategies contribute to the creation of stronger civic institutions and increased social and economic opportunities. In this context, it is the creation of governance and participatory processes to increase the inclusion of residents in decisions that affect the community’s wellbeing.
A key aspect of strengthening the capacity of the community is the building and supporting of individuals’ personal capacity to address the issues that arise over the course of their lives, and supporting people to take independent decisions and to negotiate priorities through participation in their workplaces, neighbourhoods and communities (DEEWR 2008).
The CN DAB are currently in the process of implementing a Community Leadership Program that aims to empower and skills up all residents, not just those currently involved, to ensure that the community will continue to manage and sustain themselves.
Priority 3: Improve services and advocate for the redistribution of resources to areas of high need
According to the Corio Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal Community Survey (2007) slightly less than half of the 600 survey respondents rated accessibility and quality of local services as good. Survey respondents suggested the following to improve government responsiveness: better policies, keeping promises and meeting responsibilities; listening to the people; and better maintained streets, roads, footpaths and nature strips. Respondents were also less likely to trust the federal or state governments, and slightly less likely to trust the local council compared to the community (Deakin University 2007).
A number of factors contribute to the reasons for people not making use of particular services. Understanding these factors is an important step in considering the types of joined-up interventions are developed to improve services. Barriers can include: personal barriers; environmental barriers; social barriers; and administration barriers. Therefore, these factors range from the more obvious barriers such as cost and lack of transport to the far less obvious barriers such as perceived stigma, lack of trust, low literacy and the external appearance of buildings from which services are delivered, that miss-cue people about which segments of community those services are targeting.
Digital Divide
Information Communication Technology (ICT) is progressively becoming an integral part of all spheres of modern society. Those unable to access ICT are at risk of exclusion from the information economy, particularly relating to employment and learning. In the Victorian context, Neighbourhood Renewal communities are at the sharp end of the digital divide. Data collected by Neighbourhood Renewal in 2006 indicated that only 29% of the Corio Norlane residents use a computer and the internet at home, compared to 42% of the Victorian population. ICT is a tool for narrowing the gap between the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Victoria and the rest of the State.
Community Hubs
Separate research into the views of residents and service providers regarding the need for and accessibility of services in Norlane found that geographic location, stigma and lack of transport are significant barriers that prevent residents from accessing vital services. Both studies found that respondents identified Neighbourhood Houses and Schools as preferred locations from which to access a wider range of services.
Priority 4: Improve Access to Public and Active Transport
Public Transport
Transport is an important factor in maintaining independence and connection as it links individuals with important services and allows for broader participation in community activities.
However, according to the Corio Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal Community Survey (2007) less than half of the participants rated public transport in Corio Norlane as ‘good’. Survey participants suggested: increase in the frequency of services; more buses or trains; improvements to stations and bus stops; and better services on weekends, at night and early in the morning, as much needed improvements to public transport. An increase in public transport is particularly relevant given that fewer survey participants reported using a car or motorbike as their main form of transport in 2007 as compared to car usage in 2005 (Deakin University 2007).
Active Transport
While public transport provides a cheaper alternative to car usage, in Corio Norlane it is an essential asset as many residents do not have access to private transport. Transport however, can play an important role in enabling good health and wellbeing as cycling, walking and public transport use, are all low cost healthy forms of transport that not only provide health benefits but increase social connectedness (G21 2006).
Highly ‘walkable’ communities are more likely to encourage walking and cycling as forms of transport, particularly for local trips. Therefore the two most important factors in assessing the ‘walkability’ of an area, is the proximity to destinations and connectivity to other travel routes. Results of Leslie et al’s (2008) study assessing the value and use of parks reflects this notion with residents in Corio Norlane places an emphasis of the desire for nearby shops and services and the closeness of public transport services as important influences on park utilisation.
A ‘Walkability Trial’ led by the City of Greater Geelong is currently underway in Corio Norlane. By providing incentives for walking and cycling as modes of transport in addition to recreational uses, planning and urban design can bring both short and long term health benefits to Corio Norlane. Creating a walkable and cycle-able friendly community is an important part of ensuring the community’s healthy, environmental, and cost-effective practices are sustainable.
|
