Infrastructure not keeping up with demand; report highlights

SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council has released a new document that provides an overview of the South Gippsland region.

The Regional Profile was developed by analysing external data sources such as the ABS Census Data, Forecast.id population forecasting and Crime Statistics Victoria, as well as comprehensive community feedback.

Feedback from local residents was collected in two ways. Twenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted (seven participants per ward) and 7,856 households were randomly selected to complete a Community Survey.

Additionally, an open access survey was also promoted online which gave residents who were not randomly selected a chance to share their views. Close to 2000 survey responses were received providing a solid, and statistically reliable, sample size for each Council ward.

Not only has the data from The Regional Profile provided valuable information for people considering relocating to South Gippsland, but it will also support Council and community planning, grant applications and advocacy projects within the region.

“The South Gippsland Regional Profile is a comprehensive piece of work that will be used regularly by Council,” Cr Nathan Hersey, Mayor South Gippsland Shire Council said.

“As Councillors it is essential that we understand as much as we can about our local community. Sometimes we hear strong statements from vocal people, and it can be difficult to determine if what we hear is reflective of the community at large.

“Resources like the Regional Profile, provide us with some of the information we need to make informed decisions for the benefit of the South Gippsland community.”

Whilst key Census data was on par to the Victorian averages certain data including travel for work, spoken languages and personal income varied.

Unsurprisingly the appeal of the region amongst residents was the lifestyle and natural environment sitting at 40% and 38 % respectively as opposed to 11% who moved for work. Those surveyed liked the quiet/peaceful nature of the region, alongside the rolling hills, and small community.

Residents were very vocal on aspects they disliked with poor road maintenance and council rates increasing (68% and 58% respectively), well above the third highest dislike of overgrown/poorly maintained natural environment at 21%, though these did vary between wards.

A broad range of lifestyle factors were heard with three standouts observations:

* Mental health issues, particularly among the youth, has been seen as a concern with the note of more funding for the drop-in centres for these issues.

* The influx of people moving from Melbourne has created a level of discomfort that was not previously there as people within communities generally knew each other.

* Many residents don’t feel heard by council and also believe that decisions are made without being consulted.

Access and equality highlighted that most people ‘report access to medical care as good, but some find it lacking because of distances they have to travel, even within the region.’

“We have new people… It’s hard to get an appointment at the medical centre. The town is growing, and the facilities are not keeping up with demand,” One female Strzelecki ward business owner was quoted within the report.

Residents also believed that council should help facilitate activities that bring people together, including markets, festivals, etc., especially as a general concern of community members was diminishing social connections that they have enjoyed as a hallmark of living within the region.

Additionally strong volunteering traditions are felt to be on the decline.

Eight per cent of survey respondents noted that they had experienced financial difficulties in the 12 months prior to interview, however, a strong theme in the interviews was that the community supports each other in times of need.

One solid point raised was the strong connection to the regions farming identity: ‘However it is felt by some, especially farmers, that this is not fully recognised by council – that farming, not tourism or niche businesses, is the major economic driver in the region. In that sense, land use for productive farming should be preserved and not broken up into smaller acreages and reforested.’

The full report is available at southgippsland.vic.gov.au/regionalprofile