Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee Referral of Inquiry to the Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee of Parliament

Home , Golden Plains Shire

INQUIRY INTO RETAINING YOUNG PEOPLE IN RURAL TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES

1. PREAMBLE

This submission is made on behalf of Golden Plains Shire the comments reflect the results of extensive consultation with young people who live in the Shire and the insights gained from practitioners working with young people in the Shire since 2002.

2. INTRODUCTION Golden Plains Shire is a predominately rural municipality servicing a large number of small towns and ‘settlements’ located between Victoria’s second and third largest cities, Geelong and Ballarat.

The Shire covers an area of 2,704 square kilometres and has a total population of 16,239 as at 30 June 2004 (DSE estimate). The ABS Estimated Residential Population for Golden Plains Shire increased by 8.9% from 1996 to 2001. Since the 2001 Census further increases in population growth has resulted in Golden Plains Shire, in 2003/04, recording the highest population growth (3.51%) in regional and rural Victoria and the 6th highest in the State behind Melbourne, Melton, Cardinia, Casey and Wyndham.

The vast majority of rural municipalities are experiencing negative population growth, a decline in the number of children and families and a marked increase in the aged population. In contrast, growth and demographic change in Golden Plains Shire is fuelled by both the high number of families living in the Shire, contributing to a positive birth rate (Golden Plains is the only municipality in the Grampians region with a positive birth rate) and the number of families moving to the Shire seeking a rural lifestyle within commuter distance of employment opportunities and services located in the regional cities of Geelong and Ballarat and metropolitan Melbourne. Golden Plains Shire is also regarded as providing access to

Golden Plains Shire – Response to Parliamentary Inquiry Page 1 of 10 comparatively less expensive housing and therefore presents as an attractive option for families with young children.

It is not surprising then that the mean household size for Golden Plains Shire (at the time of the 2001 Census) was 2.9 persons, compared to the Victorian mean of 2.6 persons. Couples with dependent children represented 45.2% of households in Golden Plains, far higher than the Victorian average of 38.0%.

ABS 2001 Census data highlights that Golden Plains Shire has a high proportion of people aged 0-4 years, 5–11 years and 12-19 years, with this cohort comprising 33% of the population (the same proportion as the municipalities of Melton and Casey).

Graph 3: Age Structure – Comparison of Golden Plains with Casey and Melton (Source: DSE, Urban & Regional Research Branch 2003)

2001- Age Structure

Casey Melton Vi ctor i a Golden Plains

35%

30%

s 25%

20%

15%

% of Total Person % of Total 10%

Age Groups 0% 0-14 15-19 20-39 40-59 60-75 75+ Casey 25% 7% 33% 25% 7% 3% Melton 25% 8% 33% 27% 5% 2% Vi ctor i a 20% 7% 30% 26% 11% 6% Golden Plains 24% 9% 22% 32% 10% 3%

The following information has been taken from various forms of consultations under taken by the Shire. It highlights the impact of this issue and promotes effective strategies and recommendations toward retaining a greater number of young people in our community.

3. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE YOUNG PEOPLE’S DECISIONS TO REMAIN IN OR LEAVE RURAL COMMUNITIES

The nature of the municipality presents significant challenges for young people residing in Golden Plains Shire. A number of youth planning forums and consultations have been implemented involving participation from a wide range of service providers, network representatives and local young people. These processes have assisted Council in identifying

Golden Plains Shire – Response to Parliamentary Inquiry Page 2 of 10 the key issues that attract or deter young people from remaining in or returning to live within the Shire. 3.1 Education Given that Golden Plains Shire has no secondary colleges, tertiary education services and limited transport options most young people in the Shire face significant barriers to accessing education. These barriers impact heavily on the decision made by young people and their families to leave the Shire. Anecdotal evidence drawn from the experience of young people, their teachers and youth workers suggests there is a number of key factors which contribute to young people moving out of the Shire and into the regional centres to live. • Significant time (up to 3 hours per day) spent commuting to schools in Geelong and Ballarat • Limited capacity to participate in extra-curricular activities given distance from regional centres • Decreased opportunities to access school resources

As young people move from their local Primary School to a Secondary School in the regional centre of Geelong or Ballarat they lose their local friendship connections as they form new friendships at school and through extra curricular activities. Young people become increasingly disconnected to their local community and more connected to the regional centre in which many of their friendship networks now exist. There are gradually fewer reasons to remain residing in the rural community in which they now have few connecting ties. There are also many young people leaving the Shire when they are ready to undertake study through TAFE, alternative schooling or university. These young people report that there is no other option for them but to move closer to their education centres given the limited transport options in the Shire. A further disincentive to continuing to reside in their local communities is the limited internet access which would serve to reduce their capacity to meet study requirements.

3.2 Employment The barriers to making a successful transition to employment are complex and living in a rural Shire can intensify the challenges even more. Participants of a recently run program developed to investigate the high incidence of early school leaving in the Shire, identified the following factors as barriers to obtaining employment:

• Transport • Family stability and support • Access to employment agencies / Resume & interview support • Access to potential workplaces • Lack of finances to pay for travel, appropriate clothing and other associated costs • Lack of self confidence and experience

For the above mentioned and associated reasons young people are moving out of and leaving rural areas in record numbers. Local young people have verbalized that whilst they would like to settle in or near the community in which they were raised they do not feel confident that there is a future for them in the region as young adults. This is largely due to the limited employment

Golden Plains Shire – Response to Parliamentary Inquiry Page 3 of 10 options available within the area and the time and financial costs associated with traveling to the regional centres of Geelong or Ballarat to attend their place of work. Local young people are leaving the Shire because there are no employment options here for them. Young people inform us that moving to the regional centres is the only way for them to gain financial independence. Given the limited employment options in the Shire most young people need to source employment in the regional centres of Geelong and Ballarat. For many young people and their families this makes accessing employment a significant challenge for a number of reasons especially in situations where a young person:

• Is not old enough to drive or does not have a license; • Does not have access to a vehicle; • Does not have the financial capacity to meet petrol and other transport costs( especially if they are residing a significant distance from the regional centres.

Young people working part time in the regional centres report that they often miss out on shifts and get overlooked for promotions for reasons related to living in a rural Shire. These young people are often unable to accept shifts on short notice or late at night because of a range of factors including:

• No public transport to get home; • Parents may be working or have other commitments and are therefore unable to transport them to and from their workplace; • Costs for petrol or taxi fare (if in a service area) are often equal to or more than what the young person has just earned.

Young people and their families who are consistently feeling disadvantaged and are missing out on employment opportunities due to living in a rural Shire, will often decide that it is easier and more effective for their lifestyle and wellbeing to move to the regional centres.

3.3 Transport The lack of access to public and community transport is a consistent issue raised in consultation with local young people and service providers. This issue significantly impacts on the capacity of young people to access work, education, social activities and services and hinders their ability to maintain friendship networks outside their small community. ‘ Lack of transport ‘ has been the most highly identified factor reported in consultations with young people and service providers as contributing to young people’s decision to leave the Shire and their dissatisfaction with living in a rural community. Limited transport is a key contributor to the experience and level of social isolation in the Shire. Public transport in the Shire is limited to bus services that operate along the boundaries of the municipality, including Geelong to Ballarat (along the Midland Highway with return trips three times a day), a route from Ballarat to Hamilton (along the Glenelg Highway with a return trip once per day) and an Inverleigh to Geelong service (along the Hamilton Highway - one return trip once per week).

A high proportion of young people in the Shire suffer from being socially isolated due to transport issues. Lack of transport can inhibit young people from participating in a range of activities and often is a key contributor to depressive symptoms. The quality of life for young people living in rural communities is often significantly reduced due to their limited access to sporting, social and creative opportunities. Limited transport also means limited access to valuable support systems

Golden Plains Shire – Response to Parliamentary Inquiry Page 4 of 10 and services. With all employment, health and welfare services being located in Geelong or Ballarat.

Transport is a particular and critical issue for young people in Golden Plains especially given that 67.5% of the population (2001 Census) reside outside the 9 main townships. The following statements were documented from local young people who are living in communities throughout the Shire:

Transport and Access “The bus ride to school is over an hour per day” “For some its three hours” “Heaps of bullying on the bus” “Cannot afford fees” “I lost contact with all my friends when I left school” “I ride 15 kilometers to my job on the chicken farm” “there are no jobs around here” “Can only get to work if Mum drives me” “There are no employment options locally Cannot access employment support – transport” “My Mum’s at work so I cannot join the football team”

3.4 Community Connection Given the issues identified young people living in Golden Plains Shire often experience a sense of disconnection from friends and community. There are no secondary schools within the Shire. Students attend a number of schools in Geelong and Ballarat, which hinders the formation of strong links between education and health providers. Youth workers, parents and community co- ordinators have identified issues of depression and isolation amongst young people and the need to promote youth connectivity within the Shire. As young people leave the Shire daily for education, training or employment, there is a need for young people to feel connected to their local communities and to participate in decision-making processes. Due to the significant factors impacting on young people growing up in rural communities there is a continual need for program development and enhancement to ensure that young people are supported in feeling connected to their communities. It is important to note young people frequently advise that the peer networks that have been created through the Shire’s youth program has enabled them to become more actively involved in community activity and consequently develop a greater sense of belonging in their local towns. We know that while most young Victorians enjoy good health and wellbeing, there is compelling evidence of vulnerability and marginalisation for young people living in rurally isolated areas. As previously highlighted young people growing up in rural communities continue to face significant challenges in relation to educational outcomes, rates of depression and capacity to engage in employment. Unemployment and underemployment remains high for young people in this region. These factors can serve to further marginalize rural young people and significantly impact on their confidence and capacity to participate in civic activities.

There was a strong interest articulated from many young people in being actively involved in community activities that are valued by the community and connect to young people's interests and passions. Good engagement practices were recognised as important because it ensured that young people would feel supported and could develop skills and confidence throughout the process. This was particularly expressed in terms of "rights" and often was linked more broadly to citizenship or representative opportunities which were seen as facilitating a sense of belonging to the community. Young people that develop a sense that they ‘belong’ in their community are far more likely to be committed to contributing to positive outcomes for the well being of the future of the community and would be more likely to remain in the community to pursue them.

Golden Plains Shire – Response to Parliamentary Inquiry Page 5 of 10 3.5 Access to Services Young people and their families have been known to leave the Shire for reasons relating to their lack of access to services and resources. As previously mentioned young people wishing to access services and support in a range of areas including health, welfare employment and education need to do so from the regional centres. With over 30 small towns and communities the very nature of Golden Plains Shire presents some key challenges concerning how to best deliver health and community services to young people living in the Shire. Young people and families have highlighted difficulties accessing education, health and community services provided in Geelong or Ballarat. A unique feature of the Golden Plains Shire is that it comprises over 35 small towns and ‘settlements’. In 1996 the Shire had the highest proportion of population in Victoria living in towns of less than 200 people. Many towns have little, if any commercial infrastructure. An important illustration of this point is reflected in the services located in the Shire’s towns. The Shire ‘boasts’ one medical clinic, one dental clinic, one pharmacy and one bank (all located in Bannockburn), no secondary schools or post-secondary education facilities, no hospital and very limited access to primary health services. An interesting indicator of the lack of commercial infrastructure is that only 10 of the 35+ communities in the Shire have a shop.

Unlike most municipalities Golden Plains Shire has very few community or non-Government organisations that call Golden Plains Shire ‘home’. Organisations located in the Shire that are involved in community service are restricted in number to two small neighbourhood houses (located in Haddon and Meredith) and three Lions Clubs (Inverleigh, Bannockburn and Haddon). This possibly provides some explanation as to the high level of need for and interest in Council’s Youth Development Program.

Consultations with local young people reveal that young people’s experience of community is significantly different to those of the previous generation – different in scope, complexity and impact. It is widely recognized that their experiences differ according to a number of factors including gender, culture, race, disability, sexuality and socio-economic status. It is therefore important for young people to have access to range of appropriate supports and services and that this need is further intensified where salient factors relating to isolation and depression exist.

With few community service organisations located in the Shire and few regional agencies providing outreach services, young people experience a lack of access to health and community services in local communities. There is currently no access to specialist services within the Shire such as counselling, mental health services, drug and alcohol services or youth specific health promoting/screening services. All services of a specialist nature are provided in either Geelong or Ballarat and young people’s access is limited due to the lack of transport services and a range of other factors. There is significant evidence to support the fact that the difficulties associated with accessing services and support when living in Golden Plains Shire is a key contributor to young people leaving their communities to live in regional centres where they will be better positioned to access the necessary supports and services.

Golden Plains Shire – Response to Parliamentary Inquiry Page 6 of 10 4. STRATEGIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEPLE WHO DECIDE TO REMAIN IN OR RETURN TO RURAL TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES

The following recommendations identify some possible courses of action to address the identified challenges that young people face when living in the Golden Plains Shire and to increase the number of young people who decide to remain in the region. A key component of these recommended actions is in strengthening the partnership between State Government and Golden Plains Shire and exploring ways of extending the existing financial support from State Government to implement the ‘Potential Initiatives’ identified.

4.1 Education

A key component of the development of rural regions lies in meeting the objective of increasing accessibility to and forging new links between education, training and employment. A number of key factors that contribute to young people’s disconnection from education and training include: • The difficulties associated with travel (up to three hours a day) to and from secondary schools which are located outside the Shire • The deterioration in community connectedness and civic participation once you begin to attend education outside the Shire • The reduced capacity to participate in ‘after school’ activities when attending schooling outside the Shire • The loss of friendships within the local community once you access schooling outside the Shire

Recommendations for improving barriers to education from within the Shire:

• Council, distance education and TAFE providers to be engaged in a high level planning process to coordinate, support and develop education provision within the Shire • Restructure of the zoning system that accommodates travel to specified schools within a given distance from a residential address • The development of an innovative and effective model of secondary school within the shire • Financial support to financially stretched families to enable their children to access the internet, services, and flexible transport • Improve telecommunications systems to enhance internet access • Enhance referral pathways between education providers and support services • Investigate and establish mobile training, distance learning and certificate courses opportunities within Shire

4.2 Employment

As a result of the high levels of youth unemployment Golden Plains Shire has undertaken intensive consultation with local young people and employment networks and found that in order to attract young people to return to the Shire the following strategies need to be implemented:

• Opportunities for local business to work with young people in developing their skills and raising their awareness of local business enterprises possibly through collaborations with education providers and VCAL and related programs • Increase access to employment agencies / Resume & interview support

Golden Plains Shire – Response to Parliamentary Inquiry Page 7 of 10 • Provision of more transport options • Assistance to families of low socio economic status to assist them with associated costs of gaining employment • Greater access to information about jobs pathways programs, apprenticeships and other such initiatives

4.3 Transport

Public Transport Young people have consistently shared their experiences of being ‘forced’ to leave their home and family in a local community in order for them to pursue their education (especially in relation to TAFE and post secondary qualifications) and employment. These young people report that due to the grossly inadequate public transport service they have no way of getting to their education centres and places of employment once they are no longer eligible to utilise the school bus system. It has been identified that greater coordination of the transport system could increase its effectiveness. Implementation of the following strategies could enhance the service significantly.

Issue: Buses run at inconvenient times that are poorly coordinated with other services (a safety issue for young people with no safe space to wait) Strategy: Better coordination of bus times with consideration given to business hours of operation, connecting buses and train times.

Issue: No available weekend service for young people to enhance social connections ( highly important given issues of isolation and limited social opportunities). Strategy: Provision of a weekend night bus (Friday / Saturday nights) transporting to and from regional centres of Geelong and Ballarat,

Issue: Transport provided from very limited number of townships within the Shire. Strategy: Complimentary bus providing a loop route to access a greater number of smaller townships.

Community Transport Increased funding for Community transport program to better ‘fill the gaps’ throughout the Shire and to target groups of rurally isolated and transport disadvantaged community members. While the Golden Connections Community Transport program has provided some assistance to young people, there are challenges that are currently limiting the programs effectiveness for young people. These are as follows:

Issue: Limited availability of transport volunteers in the evening and weekends. Strategy: An action research project to investigate needs and options and implement and evaluate solutions presents as a way forward.

Issue: Limited awareness of the program and comfort in utilizing the service Strategy: A working party of young people to develop more youth focused marketing tools aimed at attracting and informing young people about the service and assisting them in feeling comfortable to use.

Golden Plains Shire – Response to Parliamentary Inquiry Page 8 of 10 Issue: Limited options for transport given limited numbers of volunteer drivers and available hours. Strategy: Increased Volunteer incentives and support possibly through the provision of transport education opportunities.

4.4 Community Connection

Council has been successful in adopting community building initiatives that serve to engage and connect local young people with peers and the wider community. Council’s Youth Development Program is committed to engaging young people and their local communities in shaping their future. A partnership approach is adopted where partners work with young people and local communities to identify needs, issues and opportunities and develop responsive strategies and programs to build social capital and community resilience.

Golden Plains Shire Council’s role underlines the importance of Local Government as a lead actor in youth planning, advocacy, community capacity building, action and service delivery. In taking a lead role in this proposal Golden Plains Shire focuses on: Strengthening the close working relationship with young people and local communities Extending the level of community engagement to encompass youth priorities Furthering the links between youth planning and service delivery and other key areas of Council planning activity Building partnerships with and between key organisations and networks involved in service development and delivery in Golden Plains Shire Young people are keen to commit to community, particularly at the local level, and want to feel valued and recognised for this effort, be it through involvement in sports clubs, music events, fund raising for charity or environmental campaigns. Young people are looking for other valuable ways to contribute and be recognised assets and leaders in their communities. Ongoing opportunities need to be provided for young people to participate, volunteer and be active in decision making processes. It is by being actively involved in a community that young people and will feel connected to it and in it. It is important that Council is provided with adequate financial support from State Government to ensure that it can continue and enhance programs that serve to build young people’s connectedness to their community.

4.5 Access to Services

Given the nature of Golden Plains Shire and the significant restrictions in relation to access to service provision Council has identified the need to strengthen relationships between service providers with the establishment of a Youth Service Planning Forum. Council has established a of whole of Government approach to service planning and provision. Council requires adequate funding and support from State Government to ensure the following processes can be effectively undertaken.

• Rural Young People have access to increased service provision in the areas of health, transport, education, training and employment, increased opportunities for community involvement and improved recreation opportunities

• Service providers have increased capacity to plan and deliver services and programs that more effectively meet the needs of young people

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• Government Departments have an increased capacity to confidently prioritise service and infrastructure needs for young people across the Golden Plains Shire

5. CONCLUDING REMARKS

The above factors highlight the key contributors that serve to disadvantage young people living in the Golden Plains Shire and that serve to motivate them and their families to relocate to regional centres. Golden Plains Shire recognizes that it is important to retain young people in the community in order to maintain a vibrant healthy and balanced society. Young people add fresh perspectives and energy to rural communities and contribute significantly as innovative leaders and drivers of change.

Council’s submission to this inquiry seeks to advocate that young people in rural communities may experience less disadvantage and a higher quality of life whilst growing up in this region. Whilst Council recognises that some young people may wish to leave the region at some point in their lives to broaden their life experiences and that this process could add rich benefits to the community when they choose to return, it is clear that for this to happen young people need to have had positive experiences growing up in their communities and need to have formed a strong connection with the community in which they grew up. Through this submission Golden Plains would seek to advocate that young people would have options as to whether they remain in the region and that they are not forced by circumstance to relocate.

We would welcome the opportunity to speak to our submission if the committee wishes to gain further knowledge of the above matters.

Golden Plains Shire – Response to Parliamentary Inquiry Page 10 of 10