Change and Disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee Region, Victoria

2011 January 2011

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee Region, Victoria March 2011 Prepared by: Jeanette Pope, Policy and Strategy, Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD). (03) 92083849 or [email protected] March 2011

Acknowledgement of data source DPCD gratefully acknowledges the Department of Health and its two data collation products from which most of the data for this report has been drawn:

› 2009 Local Government Area Statistical Proﬁ les (DHS 2009) › Town and Community Proﬁ les 2008 (DHS 2009)

A note of the limitations of data to describe disadvantage There is a signifi cant paucity of data to describe disadvantage, particularly at the small area level, in Australia. Measuring disadvantage in individuals requires measuring the wide range of factors that contribute to standard of living (Figure 10). Most surveys do not collect this detail. Only a few composite measures exist that combine a range of variables, notably, the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) fi ve Socio-economic Indices for Areas (SEIFA) (that combine information about income, education, occupation, wealth and living conditions) (ABS 2006). In addition, some disadvantaged population groups are very small, or are hard to identify, and are not routinely detected in population surveys (for example, Indigenous Victorians, refugees and people with a disability). These issues mean there are signifi cant data gaps in this report.

Acronyms ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics AEDI Australian Early Development Index ATSI Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander DPCD Department of Planning and Community Development LGA Local Government Area SEIFA Socio-economic Indices for Areas SEIFA RSD Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage

Copyright & Disclaimer The materials presented in this report are for information purposes only. The information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessments of the matters discussed and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information and obtain independent advice before acting on any information contained in or in connection with this report. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate the Department of Planning and Community Development will not accept any liability for any loss or damage which may be incurred by any person acting in reliance upon the information.

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 2 Contents

Introduction and summary ...... 4 Change in the Loddon Mallee region as a backdrop to disadvantage ...... 7 What is disadvantage and who does it affect? ...... 16 Disadvantage in Loddon Mallee ...... 21 Buloke LGA ...... 24 Campaspe LGA ...... 27 Central Goldﬁ elds LGA ...... 30 Gannawarra LGA ...... 33 Greater Bendigo LGA ...... 36 Loddon LGA ...... 39 Macedon Ranges LGA ...... 42 Mildura LGA ...... 45 Mount Alexander LGA ...... 48 Swan Hill LGA ...... 51 Conclusion and what can be done? ...... 54 Appendix A. The full list of relatively disadvantaged towns in the Loddon Mallee region ...... 55 References ...... 57

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 3 Introduction and summary

This report describes change and disadvantage This section demonstrates localities are in the Loddon Mallee government region (Figure experiencing economic and demographic 1). It has been compiled to assist agencies better change differently and disadvantage therefore assess disadvantage and plan collaborative looks different in different places. Three major strategies to address it. changes are discussed: 1. the process of economic restructuring that is decreasing The fi rst section provides a brief introduction economic opportunities for some residents to the widespread economic and (creating skilled work environments where there demographic changes in regional Victoria are predominantly unskilled workers); 2. shifting that provide the backdrop to disadvantage. population compositions that are resulting in a It shows that the economy is restructuring in need for services and business to restructure (as different ways across the region and this is needs change or as services become unviable); causing the purpose of many regional towns to and 3. rising house prices that are resulting in change (for example from agricultural service some populations becoming concentrated in low towns to tourist towns). As a result, many places service/economic opportunity areas. also have changing population compositions, with some localities experiencing decline and This background highlights the need for aging and others growth from new populations collaborative planning – that can fi nd solutions moving from Melbourne (weekenders, specifi c to a locality’s economy, demography, commuters, “downshifters”, affl uent retirees and needs and interests – to address disadvantage in non-affl uent retirees, welfare recipients and small regional localities. numbers of new Australian migrants).

Figure 1. The Loddon Mallee government region.

Including the LGAs of … Buloke Loddon Campaspe Mallee Central Goldﬁ elds Grampians Hume Gannawarra Greater Bendigo Loddon Gippsland Macedon Ranges Mildura Barwon South-West Mount Alexander Swan Hill

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 4 The second section defi nes disadvantage The third section examines disadvantage as occurring when an individual, family in the Loddon Mallee region. For each Local or community is deprived of resources Government Area (LGA) it provides a map of or opportunities – enjoyed by all other the most disadvantaged localities and a table Victorians – that underpin social and describing the population composition of these economic wellbeing. Disadvantage exists on areas using the categories identifi ed above. a continuum with some people experiencing The tables show different towns have different mild disadvantage, while others experience population compositions. Some are dominated deprivation so severe as to be unacceptable to by older people, some by working populations community standards. This includes those that experiencing high levels of unemployment cannot afford medical and dental treatment, who and single parent families, some by public do not have safe and secure housing, and who housing tenants and welfare recipients, some cannot afford activities for their children. This with a signifi cant multicultural mix. This section section shows that around 10% of the Australian reinforces the need for strategies that take population are signifi cantly disadvantaged and into consideration both the economic and clustered in particular geographic localities. demographic changes in different localities and Some population groups are consistently their different population mix. overrepresented in data about disadvantage and this section identifi es these in Australia as: A full list of all localities highlighted in the LGA maps is provided at Appendix A. Some of the › aged persons; towns on this list additionally contribute to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in › public housing renters; Australia and these are shown in Table 1 as a › Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders; summary. › one parent families; › people with non-English speaking backgrounds;

› the unemployed; › private renters; and › people with a disability (Australian Government 2009; Saunders & Wong 2009). The section concludes with a description of the size of these groups in the Loddon Mallee region (Table 5).

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 5 Table 1. Localities in Loddon Mallee that are relatively disadvantaged in Victoria and that also contribute to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in Australia

Population size

Large > 3000 1000 – 3000 Small < 1000

Mildura (7025) Maryborough (2888) Bridgewater (304) Suburbs of Greater Robinvale (1977) Gunbower (270) Bendigo (5782) Echuca (1726) Quambatook (254) Merbein (1560) Castlemaine: Moonlight Red Cliffs (1409) Flat (238) Swan Hill (1048) Kyneton (230) Wedderburn (720) Girgarre (187) Inglewood (683) Koorong Vale (171) Kerang (649) Tarnagulla (153) Dunolly (606) Rushworth (555) Kyabram (555) Nyah West (551) Pyramid Hill (465) Heathcote (414)

Note: population numbers are less than total town populations – the latter can be found in the LGA sections

The ﬁ nal section examines what can be done. This paper has been provided to begin a The complex and multidimensional nature of discussion about priority disadvantaged localities, disadvantage means that many agencies can population groups or issues (education and early contribute to reducing it or lessening its impacts childhood development, housing, etc) that may and this section outlines some of the areas be impacted on by collaborative action. under different agencies’ control. Because of its complexity, however, reducing disadvantage will require collaboration. No single agency controls all the levers.

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 6 Change in the Loddon Mallee region as a backdrop to disadvantage

Regional Victoria is changing – both economically An illustration of the magnitude of the change and demographically. across regional Victoria can be seen in change in jobs over one year (2007/8 to 2008/9) in In Loddon Mallee the economy has been Table 2. Jobs were lost in several industries substantially restructuring. The primary including Manufacturing and Education and industry of agriculture is transforming from one Training (highlighted pink), but gained in others dominated by many small family run farms to one including, Health Care and Social Assistance characterised by larger corporate ones run with and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (highlighted new production methods to increase productivity green). Figure 2 provides another example (Barr 2009). Large towns built on gold mining, from the Loddon Mallee city of Bendigo over have become reliant on manufacturing, the last 20 years (1986 to 2006). It shows the tourism and service provision (DIIRD 2010). decline in manufacturing jobs, and the rise of Manufacturing in some places is in decline. jobs in services.

Table 2. Change in employment (number of jobs), Victoria, 2007/08 to 2008/09 (in order for regional Victoria) (SGS Economic and Planning 2010)

Regional Victoria Melbourne

Health Care and Social Assistance 7 000 9 000 Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 5 000 -3 000 Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 3 000 1 000 Transport, Postal and Warehousing 3 000 13 000 Accommodation and Food Services 2 000 6 000 Public Administration and Safety 2 000 14 000 Wholesale Trade 1 000 3 000 Administrative and Support Services 0 1 000 Retail Trade -1 000 -7 000 Mining -1 000 2 000 Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services -1 000 -3 000 Arts and Recreation Services -1 000 5 000 Financial and Insurance Services -2 000 -11 000 Construction -3 000 5 000 Information Media and Telecommunications -3 000 2 000 Professional, Scientiﬁ c and Technical Services -3 000 -8 000 Education and Training -5 000 4 000 Manufacturing -5 000 -14 000 Other Services -10 000 1 000 Total number of jobs -12 000 + 20 000

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 7 Figure 2: Proportion of employed persons, by selected industry, Bendigo, 1986–2006 (DPCD 2010b)

18% 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% Manufacturing Retail Trade Accommodation Construction Education and Health Care Financial and and Food Training and Social Insurance Services Assistance Services

1986 1996 2006

In Loddon Mallee population compositions are › Weekenders (some LGAs now have signifi cant also changing. Structural aging is occurring as non-resident populations – see Figure 5); farmers get older, young people migrate to cities › Commuters and those that share their time in search of better economic prospects (the between a city and a regional household; migration of young women is double the rate of young men), and older people retire to regional › “Downshifters”; Victoria from metropolitan Melbourne (Figures 3 & › Affl uent retirees; and 4 and LGA snapshot 1, pages 9 & 10). › Non-affl uent retirees, welfare recipients and Some high amenity areas are also experiencing small numbers of new Australian migrants a signifi cant infl ux of “amenity migrants” moving moving to areas where there is cheaper from Melbourne seeking a rural lifestyle (Barr housing (AHURI 2005; Barr 2009; DHS 2009). 2009). The new types of people moving to regional Victoria include:

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 8 Figure 3. Net migration between regional Victoria and Melbourne between 2001 and 2006, by age (ABS 2006)

12 Gain to Regional 10

8 5-19 20-24 6 5-9 10-14 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-59 80-84 85-89 90+ 4 Age Group (years) 2

Number of persons (’000) -2

-4 Loss from Regional -6

LGA snapshot 1 Older people (65+) percentage of population, 2006 (ABS 2006) and projected population aging in 2026 (DPCD 2008)

2006 2026 %(n)%(n) Macedon Ranges 10.6 4267 21.5 11637 Greater Bendigo 14.5 13983 21.1 28631 Central Goldﬁ elds 22.2 2834 36.6 4885 Campaspe 16.6 6209 26.4 11225 Mildura 14.4 7478 22.9 12710 Swan Hill 15.1 3222 23.7 5253 Buloke 22.6 1603 35.8 2149 Gannawarra 20.2 2360 30.5 3299 Loddon 20.6 1674 30.7 2423 Mount Alexander 18.4 3239 29.3 6694

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 9 Figure 4. Population aged 75 years and over, Statistical Local Areas, 2006 (ABS 2006)

% of population 9% to < 18%

7% to < 9%

5% to < 7%

1% to < 5%

Changing economies and population has been transformed by amenity migrants into compositions mean the purpose of many regional a tourism destination (Barr 2009). The changing towns is changing (Barr 2009). For example, purpose of towns impacts on whether they grow towns that once provided service support or decline and this will in turn impact on the to farming communities no longer have this viability and appropriateness of their services, function. Some have reinvented themselves with business and industry. It will also impact on levels a different purpose. For example, Daylesford of disadvantage if some people get “left behind”.

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 10 Figure 5. Non-resident ratepayers by Local Government Area 2007 (DPCD 2007)

Non-resident ratepayers as a % of all ratepayers1 Mildura 9% More than 40%

Swan Hill 30% to <40% 4% 20% to <30% 10% to <20% Yarriambiak 18% Ganawarra 13% Less than 10% Buloke Wodonga Hindmarsh 22% Moira 14% 8% Data unavailable Campaspe Loddon 13% Indigo Shepparton Towong 21% 8% Wang 21% 9% West Benalla Nthn Wimmera Horsham Bendigo Strathbogie 12% Alpine Grampians 13% 27% 8% 21% 29% Cent. Mt Alex. 26% Mitchell G’fields 21% Mansfield Pyrenees Hepburn Macedon 50% 35% 32% Ranges Murrindindi East Gippsland Ararat Ballarat 17% Southern 30% 20% Grampians 13% 8% Moorabool 11% 20% Golden Glenelg Plains Coran- Baw Baw Moyne 23% Greater 15% 2 gamite Geelong Wellington 14% 12% Surf 11% 37% Coast Latrobe Colac 50% Warnambool 53% South Otway 11% Gippsland 37% Queenscliffe Bass 52% Coast 33%

Notes: 1. Multiple properties are excluded from this analysis – property owners are counted only once in calculations. 2. Wellington has 1,700 rateable properties where resident/non-resident status was unclear. These have been excluded from the analysis.

Source: Map compiled by Spatial Analysis & Research Branch DPCD. Data obtained from Local Council ofﬁcers September 2007.

The three maps on the next page show the once been agricultural service towns (the red overall patterns of growth and decline in towns dots), but growth in a few larger ones that now across Loddon Mallee from 1981 to 2006. They ﬁ ll that niche in the new production environment examine two types of landscapes – those that (Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca, etc) (the blue dots). still have an predominantly agricultural land base – and those where the land has become Figure 8 shows in blue the areas where there is attractive to amenity migrants (Barr 2009). an amenity pressure on land use (where farms may be subdivided and sold to amenity migrants Figure 6 shows in red the areas that still have willing to pay a higher price for land) (Barr 2009). a predominantly agriculture land base. In these In Loddon Mallee these include the LGAs of areas farm size is increasing while the number (from north to south) Greater Bendigo, Central of farms (and therefore the size of farming Goldﬁ elds, Mount Alexander and Macedon communities) is decreasing (Barr 2009). In Ranges. Amenity migration is the most likely way Loddon Mallee these areas include the LGAs of smaller regional towns have avoided decline in (from north to south) Mildura, Swan Hill, Buloke, the Loddon Mallee region (Barr 2009) and Figure Gannawarra, Loddon and Campaspe. Figure 7 shows the many towns that have grown as a 7 shows this landscape is associated with the result (the blue dots). decline of many small towns that would have

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 11 Figure 6. The Production landscape of Victoria (from ABS census data, Statistical Local Area boundaries and Victorian land transaction data). The deeper the red, the deeper the production inﬂ uence on the landscape (Barr 2009)

Figure 7. Population change in Victorian Towns 1981–2006 (DPCD 2008a)

No. of persons 5000

2500

500

-500

-2500

Figure 8. Neil Barr’s (DPI) interpretation of the Victorian amenity landscape in 2001. The deeper the blue, the greater the amenity pressures on land use (Barr 2009).

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 12 Many towns and populations have adapted, other industries (SGS Economic and Planning and will continue to adapt, to the economic and 2010). In addition, regional Victoria has less demographic changes occurring in the region. diversity of employment options (Figure 9) and This report is concerned with those that may this makes unskilled workers vulnerable when be left behind by change. Three major changes industries restructure, particularly as there is also should be kept in mind as background to less opportunity to retrain in regional Victoria. discussion about disadvantage. The issue of a mismatch between unskilled workers and increasingly skilled work could 1. The fi rst change is economic restructure perpetuate in regional Victoria given it has a that results in decreased economic signifi cant proportion of children entering school opportunities for some residents. This is developmentally vulnerable (12% compared to particularly signifi cant because some areas 10% in metropolitan Melbourne, LGA snapshot in Loddon Mallee have high unemployment 3, page 26), more young people not staying at (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) and around one in school through years 10 to 12 (23% compared to fi ve workers are unskilled or semi skilled (LGA 15% in metropolitan Melbourne) and more young snapshot 6, page 35). Research has shown people aged 15 to 19 who are not engaged in that skilled workers have portable skills and can school, work or further education/training (up to deal well with change, while others (for example, 24% in Loddon Mallee LGAs) (LGA snapshot 5, from manufacturing) have limited specifi c page 32). skills and fi nd it diffi cult to fi nd employment in

Figure 9. Economic diversity*, Statistical Local Areas, 2001 (DSE 2005)

Diversity Index 95.5 to 96.0 95.0 to 95.4 90.0 to 94.9 65.0 to 89.9

Source: Victorian Government 2006, Regional Matters

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 13 2. The second change is shifting population In all towns there will be a need to attract staff compositions that result in the need for to run services. Some areas in regional Victoria services and business to restructure. This will have trouble attracting skilled workers because affect both towns in growth and decline. Towns of lower incomes, lack of premium housing or that are growing may experience pressure on low perceived amenity in particular areas (DIIRD their existing services or have a need for new 2010). Table 3 shows the current skill shortages or different services. Towns in decline may have in the Loddon Mallee region and subsequently difﬁ culty keeping their services and facilities the services affected. This problem is likely to viable (schools, health services, sporting clubs, be exacerbated by the out migration of young etc). This may mean residents have to travel for people leaving fewer people to replace retiring services and this may become an increasing workers and to work in areas of increasing problem as they age or if they have transport demand as the population ages (such as health limitations. The issue of service access is of care). In some areas however, the loss of young particular importance to disadvantaged people people may be compensated for by the in- who are more likely to have a greater range of migration of amenity migrants. service needs due to worse physical and mental health, lower assets and incomes, etc.

Table 3. Skills shortages in the Loddon Mallee Region (DIIRD 2010)

Accountants Metal machinists Automotive electricians Motor mechanics Building and engineering professionals Nursery people Butchers Plumbers Cabinetmakers Printing machinists Civil engineers Registered nurses Community workers School teachers General electricians Structural construction tradespeople General medical practitioners Structural steel and welding tradespeople Health professionals Welfare workers Metal ﬁ tters and turners

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 14 3. The third change is rising house prices Disadvantage exists against that result in some populations becoming a backdrop of economic and concentrated in low service areas. Three groups will be affected. The ﬁ rst is residents who demographic change in regional move into low service areas from high amenity Victoria that is affecting localities areas as house prices rise (particularly as amenity differently. migration has generally not resulted in new houses being built (Barr 2009)). The second is those existing residents in low service areas who are unable to move to more expensive serviced This brief background demonstrates that localities when their need for services increases different economic and demographic changes (for example, as they age, become disabled, or are occurring in different places in Loddon need to access the labour market) (Barr 2009). Mallee. As a consequence, disadvantage is likely This will include social housing tenants who live to look different in different localities. In some in low serviced areas away from labour markets. communities disadvantage will be characterised The third is the group of welfare recipients or by an aging population, in others by a working underfunded retirees who move into low service population that is precariously employed, in areas because of the cheaper housing (Barr others by a diverse group of welfare recipients. 2009). For example, in 2000 a net of 9500 In addition, all changing communities in Loddon welfare recipients moved to regional Victoria for Mallee, whether disadvantaged or not, will the housing (AHURI 2005). While housing need to restructure their services to meet their is cheaper in general in regional Victoria (both changing needs. This background highlights rents and purchase) people will still be at risk the importance of collaborative planning that of housing stress if their incomes do not keep examines solutions matched to disadvantaged pace with house prices or rent. This will include locality’s economy, assets, demographics, needs those on pensions and beneﬁ ts and lower paid and interests. single workers.

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 15 What is disadvantage and who does it affect?

Disadvantage occurs when an individual, family lack either material resources (income, or community is deprived of resources or housing, services, transport), skills/knowledge opportunities – enjoyed by other Victorians – resources (education, health) or “social capital” that underpin social and economic wellbeing. resources (social participation, inclusion, strong Disadvantaged people and communities governance) (Figure 10).

Figure 10. The resources that contribute to an individual, family or community’s social and economic wellbeing

Material Resources Skills & knowledge (Economic Capital) (Human Capital) Income, jobs Education Secure housing Training Services available Workforce participation Transport Good Health Resilient families

Resilient communities

Relationships (Social Capital) Connectedness Social participation Positive socialisation: inclusive, tolerant, safe Involvement in decision-making

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 16 Some people and communities experience 2007). This group is not the main focus of this disadvantage only mildly – perhaps only on one report although it is acknowledged that these indicator in Figure 10 – such as labour market inequalities make people vulnerable to more insecurity (rather than no job) or transport serious disadvantage and are an important limitations. These people are likely to be subject for public policy debate. managing, but may be vulnerable to more severe disadvantage when the economy changes or This report focuses on the approximately 10% services/facilities are relocated (the Australian of the population that face multiple social and Government following the European Commission economic problems that impact signiﬁ cantly reports these people as “at risk of poverty” on their wellbeing (Australian Government (Australian Government 2009) (Figure 11)). The 2009). These people will be experiencing a size of this group depends on the resource combination of material deprivation, economic they do not have access to. For example, in precariousness, labour market disadvantage, Loddon Mallee, 47% of the population do not poor health, inadequate housing and exclusion have access to the internet at home (ABS from social, educational and civic life (Australian 2006), while 21% report they have experienced Government 2009). transport limitations in the last 12 months (CIV

Figure 11. Disadvantage exists on a continuum from severe to mild disadvantage – relative to the rest of the population.

Disadvantaged (approx 10% of the population)

At risk of disadvantage (approx 10% of the population)

The remainder of the population

Determined using a European Commission measure of having incomes 60% below the national median (Australian Government 2009)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 17 Disadvantage of this kind has been shown to An Australian study of deprivation additionally be geographically concentrated (PHIDU 2010 found signiﬁ cant disadvantage in: – Atlases of census data since 1999; ABS 2010). For example, the report Dropping off › the unemployed; the Edge (Vinson 2007) showed that particular › private renters; and localities in Australia have the highest levels of › people with a disability disadvantage in terms of low incomes, housing (Saunders & Wong 2009). stress, detachment from the economy (fewer employed, lower involvement in education, early The study of deprivation asked a representative school leaving), poorer service access (limited sample of the Australian population what they computer and internet access) and increased thought were the minimum acceptable standards social problems (physical and mental disabilities, of living for Australians. This was done by asking long prison admissions, child maltreatment) them what they thought were essential items (Vinson 2007). for living – such as a substantial meal a day (Saunders & Wong 2009). The disadvantaged Not all population groups in Australia population groups described above were then experience disadvantage equally. Considerable surveyed using the list of essential items – or inequalities exist with some groups consistently minimum community standards – to see if these overrepresented in data related to disadvantage. were met (Saunders & Wong 2009). The Australian Government’s comprehensive Compendium of Social Inclusion Indicators The second survey of the disadvantaged (2009) found the groups that experience higher population groups found a proportion (between levels of disadvantage in Australia across a range 6 and 20 percent) were so disadvantaged that of indicators were: they were deprived of items considered essential by the general population (Saunders & Wong › aged persons; 2009). Table 4 shows the percentage of select › public housing renters; population groups that experience deprivation on › Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders; the top ten essential items. It shows a signiﬁ cant number of Indigenous people, renters (both › single parent families; and public and private), sole parent families and › people with non-English speaking unemployed people in Australia do not have backgrounds. decent and secure homes, are unable to treat medical and dental issues, and are unable to provide activities for their children (Saunders & Disadvantage occurs when an Wong 2009). individual, family or community is deprived of resources that underpin social and economic wellbeing. Some population groups are consistently overrepresented in data related to disadvantage.

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 18 Table 4. Deprivation of the top ten essential items among population groups in Australia (%) (Saunders & Wong 2009)

Essential item Indigenous Indigenous Australians Public Renters Parent Sole Families Private Renters Unemployed People People with disabilitya Single Older Person

The percentage of the population %%%%%%% group that did not have ….

Medical treatment if needed 0.0 4.3 7.6 5.2 3.4 2.4 2.3 Warm clothes & bedding if it’s cold 5.6 2.2 0.6 0.9 0.0 0.2 0.8 Substantial meal at least once a day 10.5 8.4 1.9 2.4 3.4 2.7 0.8 Able to buy prescribed medicines 33.3 14.0 11.6 12.3 10.5 5.7 4.5 Dental treatment if needed 42.1 36.2 35.7 32.6 40.7 20.8 17.5 A decent and secure home 22.2 29.3 21.9 31.2 14.0 9.5 8.3 School activities/outings for children 21.1 16.3 10.4 7.5 12.5 6.6 7.1 Dental check-up for children 27.8 12.8 22.1 23.6 24.0 13.0 6.3 A hobby or leisure activity for 31.6 20.5 18.6 13.9 20.0 9.6 8.0 children A roof and gutters that do not leak 5.0 7.6 11.4 6.3 6.8 6.2 4.1 Average deprivation rate 19.9 15.2 14.2 13.6 13.5 7.7 6.0

Table 5 shows the size of population groups may additionally be marginalised, and not well identiﬁ ed above as experiencing a greater catered for in communities because of a lack of burden of disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee their critical mass. region. Some of the groups make up very small proportions of the population. While this The groups in Table 5 will be used to examine the means the overall magnitude of disadvantage population composition of disadvantaged localities may be small (as a population percentage), the in Loddon Mallee in the following section. disadvantage may be severe, and these groups

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 19 Table 5. Potentially disadvantaged population groups in Loddon Mallee region.

Loddon Regional Metropolitan Victoria Mallee measure measure measure

Older people (ABS 2006) Percent persons aged over 65 15.7% 16.0% 12.7% 13.6% Percent persons aged 85+ 2.0% 2.0% 1.7% 1.8% Percent persons aged 75 + 2.7% 2.7% 2.0% 2.2% and living alone (n= 528) (n= 3 038) (n= 4 336) (n= 7 246) Public housing tenants (DHS 2010) Proportion of public housing 4.1% Not reported Not reported 3.5% households (at 30 June 2009) (n= 4 532) (n= 62 561) Public Housing applications on 1 287 Not reported Not reported 39 940 waiting lists as at 30 June 2009 Private housing tenants (ABS 2006) Proportion of private housing tenant 16.7% 16.8% 21.8% 20.4% households (n= 17 677) (n=80 567) (n=269 302) (n=349 869) Aborigines & Torres Strait Islanders (ABS 2006) Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders 1.7% 1.3% 0.4% 0.6% (that identiﬁ ed in the census 2006) (n= 5 301) (n= 18 460) (n= 15 572) (n= 40 398) Single parent families (ABS 2006) Percentage of families that are single 15.7% 15.4% 15.4% 15.4% parent families (n=10 791) (n=54 645) (n=135 691) (n=199 004) Children in households with income 22.3% 21.3% 16.6% 17.9% less than $650 per week Non-English speaking (ABS 2006) Speaks language other than English 4.0% 4.8% 27.9% 21.6% at home (n= 12 474) (n= 68 161) (n= 1 086 155) (n= 1 454 344) New settler arrivals per 100000 137.6 148.1 696.1 549.6 population (2008–2009) (DIMIA 2009) (n= 429) (n= 2 103) (n= 27 099) (n= 37 004) Unemployed (ABS 2010) Unemployed March 2010 6.8% 6.0% 5.7% 5.8% People with a disability (ABS 2006) Core activity need for assistance 5.0% 5.0% 4.3% 4.5% (disability) (n= 15 592) (n= 71 001) (n= 167 400) (n= 302 988)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 20 Disadvantage in Loddon Mallee

Disadvantaged people are concentrated in of disadvantage in Australia (r=0.8) because the particular geographic locations in Victoria (PHIDU two indices are based on the same ABS census 2010). Geographic location of disadvantage is data (Vinson 2004). most commonly described using the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Index of Relative Figure 12 provides a summary of Relative Socio- Socio-economic Disadvantage (one of the economic Disadvantage (SEIFA RSD) across Socio-Economic Indices for Areas (SEIFA)) (ABS Victorian Statistical Local Areas in Victoria 2010). The index combines information from a (more detailed maps for Loddon Mallee LGAs number of variables from the population census are provided in the following pages). The red in (2006) relating to income, education, occupation, Figure 12 indicates the areas where the most wealth and living conditions. It ranks areas on a disadvantaged 20% of the Victorian population continuum of advantage to disadvantage. The live (i.e. areas ranked by SEIFA are divided into average score is 1000 for Victoria as a whole, ﬁ ve equal proportions of the population – red 986 for Regional Victoria (Table 6). Scores below equals the lowest quintile). This includes both average are relatively disadvantaged. The index is those disadvantaged and those vulnerable to highly correlated with the earlier Vinson measures disadvantage (20%).

Table 6. Socio-economic status of geographic areas in Victoria.

Loddon Regional Metropolitan Victoria Mallee measure measure measure Index of Relative Socio-economic – 986 1022 1000 Disadvantage score Percentage of the population living 36% 52% 31% 37% in collector districts with a score (n= 146201) under 1000

Figure 12. The Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage in deciles for Victorian Statistical Local Areas, 2006 (SGS Economics & Planning 2009)

2006 SEIFA Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage

4th quintile

5th quintile

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 21 While regional Victoria contains more Disadvantage is clustered in towns disadvantaged areas, a much larger number across Loddon Mallee. Different of disadvantaged people live in metropolitan locations. Nonetheless, just over a third (36%) population groups are affected in of the Loddon Mallee Region population, those towns due to the different or 146 201 people, live in collector districts economic and demographic changes with SEIFA scores under the 986 Regional Victorian average. occurring in them The following pages describe the specifi c locations in the Loddon Mallee LGAs that are Red shading indicates the proportion of the relatively disadvantaged. A full list of the localities indicated population is greater than the Loddon can be seen at Appendix A. Mallee average. Reading the Local Government Area 3. Some general data about the LGA for sections that follow context. This includes some employment data Each LGA section includes: and service access data. 1. A map made at the collector district level Additional context is provided in LGA snapshots (around 200 census households) for each for each indicator and the following three of the regions LGAs (DPCD 2010). The red maps describing some accessibility indicators localities in the maps indicate where the most across Victoria. disadvantaged 10% of the population lives. 2. A table of localities with SEIFA scores under 986 divided into large towns LGA snapshot 2 (populations over 3000), mid sized towns Number and percentage of the population living in (populations between 3000 and 1000) and collector districts with SEIFA score under the 986 small towns (populations under 1000) that Regional Victorian average, 2006 (ABS 2006) have Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage scores under the Regional Number % Victorian average (986). Each table describes Loddon Mallee 146201 36% whether the area has groups identifi ed as overrepresented in disadvantage statistics: Greater Bendigo 44446 48% › low income Mildura 26894 54% › public housing tenants Campaspe 17084 47% › older people Swan Hill 12290 60% people with a disability › Central Goldfi elds 12326 100% › single parent families Mount Alexander 8582 51% › disadvantaged children Gannawarra 7587 67% › Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders › those with low English profi ciency Loddon 5654 72% › an indicator of access to services in those Buloke 4838 71% areas (households with no internet). Macedon Ranges 4826 13%

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 22 Figure 13. Accessibility of areas in Victoria – The Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia, 2006 (DHS 2009a)

Legend Highly Accessible

Accessible

Moderately Accessible

Remote

Figure 14. Households without internet connection, Local Government Areas, 2006 (ABS 2006)

% of households 47 and above

43 to <47

39 to <43

31 to <39

Less than 31

Figure 15. People that experienced transport limitation in the last 12 months, 2007 (CIV 2007)

Quantile Legend 13.1 – 17.2

17.3 – 19.4

19.5 – 21.9

22.0 – 24.4

24.5 – 34.3

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 23 Buloke LGA

Production landscape predominantly agriculture (Figure 6) 0.82 projected annual population rate of change 2006 to 2026 (growth)

Collection Districts by Victorian decile

9th and 10th deciles (Least disadvantaged) 7th and 8th deciles &$/'(5 5th and 6th deciles +,*+:$< 3rd and 4th deciles 2nd decile 1st decile (Most disadvantaged) Unranked 6($/$.( Town boundary

%(55,:,//2&.

&8/*2$

6815$<6,$ +,*+:$< %,5&+,3

:<&+(3522)

%2581* +,*+:$< &+$5/721

'21$/'

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 24 Localities with SEIFA RSD scores under the regional Victorian average of 986 decline or or decline r ciency growth, q

Locality SEIFA Population ( = stable 2006 to 2001) income Individual under $400 a week Public Housing dwellings 65 Over alone living 75 Over Disability families parent Single Developmentally children vulnerable Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Low English Proﬁ with Households internet no

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 25 Disadvantaged areas in the Buloke LGA  Fewer residents report their area has good by the Index of Relative Socio-economic facilities and services like shops, childcare, Disadvantage (SEIFA) schools, libraries (64% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 7, page 38) Buloke contains two mid-sized and four small towns that score below the regional Victoria  Fewer residents report their area has easy average on the Index of Relative Disadvantage. access to recreational and leisure facilities Around 45 to 63% of the population of these (74% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 8, towns have low incomes and Donald and Birchip page 41) have higher than average public housing. All towns have a greater proportion of people aged  More households have no internet (55% over 65 but a smaller proportion of single parent compared to 47%, LGA Snapshot 11 page 50, families. Berriwillock and Sea Lake have a higher Figure 14) than average multicultural mix.  More residents report they have experienced Context: Buloke LGA in general transport limitations (24% compared to 21%, LGA snapshot 10 page 47, Figure 15) Education/employment

› The LGA has an unemployment rate of 4.1% compared to 5.6% for Victoria (March 2010) LGA snapshot 3 – the 2nd lowest rate in of the 10 LGAs in % of children in their ﬁ rst year of school who were Loddon Mallee (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) developmentally vulnerable on two or more domains* 2009 (DEECD 2010) › 12% of those aged between 15 and 19 are not engaged in work or further education or training (LGA snapshot 5, page 32) Number % › 18% of those employed are semi skilled or Victoria 61187 10% unskilled workers (LGA snapshot 6, page 35) Loddon Mallee 421 12% Access to services Greater Bendigo 144 13% The LGA is “moderately accessible” by the Mildura 82 13% Accessibility and Remoteness Index (Figure 13) Campaspe 50 10% Compared to the Loddon Mallee averages: Swan Hill 48 9%  More residents report their area has a wide Central Goldﬁ elds 36 13% range of community and support groups (73% compared to 67%, LGA snapshot 9, page 44) Mount Alexander 23 18%  The area has a higher rate of low care aged Gannawarra 23 12% care places (62 compared to 51 per 1000 Loddon 15 17% population eligible) Buloke n/a  The area has a higher rate of high care aged care places (60 compared to 38 per 1000 Macedon Ranges n/a population eligible) * Five domains: Physical health & wellbeing Social competence & wellbeing Emotional maturity Language & cognitive skills Communication skills & general knowledge

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 26 Campaspe LGA

Production landscape predominantly agriculture (Figure 6) 0.65 projected annual population rate of change 2006 to 2026 (growth)

Collection Districts by Victorian decile

9th and 10th deciles (Least disadvantaged) 7th and 8th deciles *81%2:(5 5th and 6th deciles 3rd and 4th deciles 0855$< 2nd decile 9$//(< 1st decile +,*+:$< (Most disadvantaged) Unranked Town boundary

(&+8&$

/2&.,1*721 721*$/$

.<$%5$0 52&+(67(5

*,5*$55(

67$1+23(

0,'/$1' +,*+:$<

&2/%,1$%%,1 586+:257+

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 27 Localities with SEIFA RSD scores under the regional Victorian average of 986 decline or or decline r ciency growth, q = stable 2006 to 2001) income Individual under $400 a week Public Housing dwellings 65 Over alone living 75 Over Disability families parent Single Developmentally children vulnerable Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Low English Proﬁ with Households internet no Locality SEIFA Population (

Loddon Mallee – 311 855 49.7 5.1 15.7 2.7 5.0 15.5 12 1.7 0.7 46.9 Regional Victoria 986 1383233 50.0 4.8 16.0 2.7 5.0 15.4 – 1.2 0.7 46.1 Melbourne Metro 1022 3744982 44.3 4.0 12.7 2.0 4.3 15.4 – 0.4 5.2 36.2 Victoria 1000 5313053 45.8 4.2 13.6 2.2 4.5 15.4 10 0.7 4.0 39.0 Large towns population >3000 Kyabram 947 5619 q 44.9 5.0 22.2 4.3 6.2 16.7 18 1.9 10.0 57.9 Echuca 966 12 363 q 39.2 8.5 16.8 3.1 5.2 17.2 – 3.1 3.0 50.8 Mid sized towns population between 1000–3000 Rushworth 893 1038 q 50.7 1.4 27.6 4.7 10.2 18.6 – 3.3 1.4 61.4 Tongala 909 1257 q 47.7 1.5 21.3 4.3 8.7 18.5 19 4.8 1.4 55.5 Rochester 951 2830 q 42.9 5.1 23.3 4.5 6.0 13.5 3 4.3 0.7 55.2 Rushworth Rural 981 1026 q 44.2 0.0 14.5 1.0 5.0 13.2 – 0.0 0.7 43.7 Catchment Small towns population <1000 ** CAUTION using percentages from small populations (there may be high rates from small numbers in small populations)** Gigarre 851 186 r 47.5 15.7 16.1 3.6 3.2 20.8 – 4.3 2.0 62.0 Gunbower 867 266 r 47.7 6.7 18.9 5.0 4.5 15.5 – 0.0 0.0 58.8 Lockington 911 420 q 50.2 0.0 23.4 5.4 6.3 15.9 – 3.8 0.0 60.0 Colbinabbin 937 114 r 51.0 9.3 26.3 2.9 7.8 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 59.1 Stanhope 954 519 = 44.9 2.9 22.6 3.9 5.0 11.3 – 1.5 0.0 53.1

Populations in Echuca (1726), Kyabram (555), Rushworth (555), Gigarre (187) and Gunbower (270) contribute to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in Australia (Table 1)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 28 Disadvantaged areas in the Campaspe  The area has a higher rate of low care aged LGA by the Index of Relative Socio- care places (54 compared to 51 per 1000 economic Disadvantage (SEIFA) population eligible) Campaspe contains two large towns, three mid  The area has a higher rate of high care aged sized towns, a rural catchment area and fi ve care places (39 compared to 38 per 1000 small towns that score below the regional Victoria population eligible) average on the Index of Relative Disadvantage. Around 39 to 51% of these populations have  More households have no internet (51% low incomes and Echuca and three small towns compared to 47%, LGA Snapshot 11 page 50, have higher than average public housing. There Figure 14) is a larger proportion of people aged over 65 in  Fewer residents report their area has easy all areas except the rural catchment and a larger access to recreational and leisure facilities proportion of single parent families in most areas. (74% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 8, Most areas have a limited multicultural mix. page 41) Context: Campaspe LGA in general  More residents report they have experienced Early years/education/employment transport limitations (23% compared to 21%, LGA snapshot 10 page 47, Figure 15) › 11% of children (50) across the LGA were found to be developmentally vulnerable in their fi rst year of school of 2009 (LGA Snapshot 3, page 26) LGA snapshot 4 Estimates of unemployment, ABS, › The LGA has an unemployment rate of 5.1% March quarter 2010 (ABS 2010a) compared to 5.8% for Victoria (March 2010) (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) Victoria 5.8% › One in fi ve (20%) of those aged between Central Goldfi elds 9.6% 15 and 19 are not engaged in work or further education or training (LGA snapshot 5, Mildura 7.6% page 32) Swan Hill 6.1% Nearly one quarter of those employed are › Mount Alexander 6.1% semi skilled or unskilled workers (22%) (LGA snapshot 6, page 35) Greater Bendigo 5.9% Access to services Campaspe 5.1% The LGA is “accessible” by the Accessibility and Loddon 4.9% Remoteness Index (Figure 13) Gannawarra 4.4% Compared to the Loddon Mallee averages: Buloke 4.1%  More residents report their area has good Macedon Ranges 2.8% facilities and services like shops, childcare, schools, libraries (81% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 7, page 38)  More residents report their area has a wide range of community and support groups (76% compared to 67%, LGA snapshot 9, page 44)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 29 Central Goldﬁ elds LGA

“Amenity” pressures landscape (Figure 8) 0.27 projected annual population rate of change 2006 to 2026 (growth)

Collection Districts by Victorian decile

9th and 10th deciles (Least disadvantaged) 7th and 8th deciles %($/,%$ 5th and 6th deciles 3rd and 4th deciles 2nd decile 1st decile (Most disadvantaged) Unranked Town boundary

'812//<

3<5(1((6 +,*+:$<

&$5,6%522.

0$5<%2528*+

7$/%27

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 30 Localities with SEIFA RSD scores under the regional Victorian average of 986 decline or or decline r ciency growth, q = stable 2006 to 2001) income Individual under $400 a week Public Housing dwellings 65 Over alone living 75 Over Disability families parent Single Developmentally children vulnerable Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Low English Proﬁ with Households internet no Locality SEIFA Population (

Populations in Maryborough (2888) and Dunolly (606) contribute to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in Australia (Table 1)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 31 Disadvantaged areas in the Central  More residents report their area has a wide Goldfi elds LGA by the Index of Relative range of community and support groups (74% Socio-economic Disadvantage (SEIFA) compared to 67%, LGA snapshot 9, page 44) Central Goldfi elds contains one large town, one  More residents report they have experienced rural catchment and four small towns that score transport limitations (24% compared to 21%, below the regional Victoria average on the Index LGA snapshot 10 page 47, Figure 15) of Relative Disadvantage. Around 47 to 52% of these populations have low incomes. There is a  More households have no internet (59% greater proportion of people aged over 65 and compared to 47%, LGA Snapshot 11 page 50, a greater proportion of single parent families Figure 14) in these areas. These areas have a limited  The area has a lower rate of low care aged multicultural mix. care places (44 compared to 51 per 1000 Context: Central Goldfi elds LGA in general population eligible) Early years/education/employment  The area has a lower rate of high care aged care places (30 compared to 38 per 1000 › 18% of children (23) across the LGA were population eligible) found to be developmentally vulnerable in their fi rst year of school of 2009 (LGA Snapshot 3, page 26) LGA snapshot 5 › The LGA has an unemployment rate of 9.6% % of young people aged 15 to 19 who are not compared to 5.8% for Victoria (March 2010) engaged in school, work or further – the highest out of the 10 LGAs in Loddon education/ training (ABS 2006) Mallee (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) › One quarter (25%) of those aged between Victoria 17% 15 and 19 are not engaged in work or further Central Goldfi elds 25% education or training (LGA snapshot 5, page 32) Mount Alexander 23% › A quarter of those employed are semi skilled or unskilled workers (25%) (LGA snapshot 6, Mildura 22% page 35) Swan Hill 22% Access to services Greater Bendigo 20% The LGA is “accessible” by the Accessibility and Campaspe 20% Remoteness Index (Figure 13) Gannawarra 19% Compared to the Loddon Mallee averages: Macedon Ranges 14%  More residents report their area has good Loddon 13% facilities and services like shops, childcare, schools, libraries (78% compared to 77%, LGA Buloke 12% Snapshot 7, page 38)  More residents report their area has easy access to recreational and leisure facilities (78% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 8, page 41)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 32 Gannawarra LGA

Production landscape predominantly agriculture (Figure 6) -0.38 projected annual population rate of change 2006 to 2026 (decline)

Collection Districts by Victorian decile

9th and 10th deciles (Least disadvantaged) 7th and 8th deciles 5th and 6th deciles 3rd and 4th deciles 2nd decile 1st decile (Most disadvantaged) Unranked Town boundary

0855$< 9$//(< +,*+:$<

.221'522.

.(5$1*

/2''21 9$//(< +,*+:$< &2+81$

48$0%$722.

/(,7&+9,//(

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 33 Localities with SEIFA RSD scores under the regional Victorian average of 986 decline or or decline r ciency growth, q = stable 2006 to 2001) income Individual under $400 a week Public Housing dwellings 65 Over alone living 75 Over Disability families parent Single Developmentally children vulnerable Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Low English Proﬁ with Households internet no Locality SEIFA Population (

Populations in Kerang (649) and Quambatook (254) contribute to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in Australia (Table 1)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 34 Disadvantaged areas in the Gannawarra  Fewer residents report their area has easy LGA by the Index of Relative access to recreational and leisure facilities Socio-economic Disadvantage (SEIFA) (72% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 8, page 41) Gannawarra contains two mid-sized and three small towns that score below the regional Victoria  Fewer residents report their area has a wide average on the Index of Relative Disadvantage. range of community and support groups (64% Around 38 to 52% of the population of these compared to 67%, LGA snapshot 9, page 44) towns have low incomes and Kerang, Cohuna and Quambatook have higher than average  More households have no internet (55% public housing. All towns have a greater compared to 47%, LGA Snapshot 11 page 50, proportion of people aged over 65 but a smaller Figure 14) proportion of single parent families. All towns  The area has a lower rate of high care aged except Leitchville have a higher than average care places (30 compared to 38 per 1000 multicultural mix. population eligible) Context: Gannawarra LGA in general Education/employment LGA snapshot 6 › The LGA has an unemployment rate of 4.4% Unskilled and semi skilled workers compared to 5.8% for Victoria (March 2010) (ABS 2006) – 3rd lowest out of the 10 LGAs in Loddon Mallee (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) Victoria 17% › One in fi ve (19%) of those aged between Central Goldfi elds 25% 15 and 19 are not engaged in work or further education or training (LGA snapshot 5, Mildura 22% page 32) Campaspe 22% › One in fi ve of those employed are semi skilled Swan Hill 22% or unskilled workers (21%) (LGA snapshot 6, page 35) Loddon 21% Access to services Gannawarra 21% The LGA is “moderately accessible” by the Mount Alexander 20% Accessibility and Remoteness Index (Figure 13) Greater Bendigo 18% Compared to the Loddon Mallee averages: Buloke 18%  The area has a higher rate of low care aged Macedon Ranges 14% care places (57 compared to 51 per 1000 population eligible) = The same proportion of residents report they have experienced transport limitations (21%, LGA snapshot 10 page 47, Figure 15)  Fewer residents report their area has good facilities and services like shops, childcare, schools, libraries (72% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 7, page 38)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 35 Greater Bendigo LGA

“Amenity” pressures landscape (Figure 8) 1.70 projected annual population rate of change 2006 to 2026 (growth)

(/025( Collection Districts by Victorian decile 0,'/$1' +,*+:$< 9th and 10th deciles (Least disadvantaged) 5$<:22' 7th and 8th deciles 5th and 6th deciles 3rd and 4th deciles *225121* 2nd decile 1st decile (Most disadvantaged) Unranked Town boundary &$/'(5 +,*+:$< %(1',*2

0$521*

0$,'(1*8//< $;('$/(

+($7+&27(

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 36 Localities with SEIFA RSD scores under the regional Victorian average of 986 decline or or decline r ciency growth, q = stable 2006 to 2001) income Individual under $400 a week Public Housing dwellings 65 Over alone living 75 Over Disability families parent Single Developmentally children vulnerable Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Low English Proﬁ with Households internet no Locality SEIFA Population (

Loddon Mallee – 311855 49.7 5.1 15.7 2.7 5.0 15.5 12 1.7 0.7 46.9 Regional Victoria 986 1383233 50.0 4.8 16.0 2.7 5.0 15.4 – 1.2 0.7 46.1 Melbourne Metro 1022 3744982 44.3 4.0 12.7 2.0 4.3 15.4 – 0.4 5.2 36.2 Victoria 1000 5313053 45.8 4.2 13.6 2.2 4.5 15.4 10 0.7 4.0 39.0 Large towns population >3000 All Suburbs in Greater Bendigo Long Gully 852 3287 r 48.6 15.9 17.3 2.6 6.9 31.7 – 4.3 2.0 57.2 Eaglehawk 924 4352 q 46.1 6.1 16.7 3.4 4.8 23.4 16 1.5 0.0 53.2 Nth Bendigo 925 3763 q 41.5 7.1 20.1 2.6 7.1 24.0 – 1.3 0.0 53.7 Ironbark 938 1182 q 41.4 5.0 16.7 3.5 8.5 22.8 – 0.3 8.2 47.2 Kangaroo Flat 947 8411 q 45.7 8.1 18.0 3.8 5.2 20.6 13 1.4 1.2 49.9 Golden Square 956 8165 q 39.8 4.6 17.4 2.9 6.1 21.1 11 0.9 2.1 47.4 White Hills 960 2623 q 40.9 5.4 15.7 2.7 5.0 18.7 – 1.0 0.0 51.5 Flora Hill 967 3847 q 48.8 3.1 15.0 3.3 4.1 22.2 – 1.2 1.0 46.6 California Gully 869 3842 q 48.6 10.8 17.3 3.6 7.5 28.6 – 2.7 0.0 56.2 Bendigo 971 6052 r 37.6 3.8 14.6 3.8 4.5 24.4 – 1.6 2.6 47.0 Mid sized population between 1000–3000 Heathcote 897 1568 q 55.3 1.0 33.5 4.3 9.8 20.7 n/a 0.3 5.3 64.8 Small towns population <1000 ** CAUTION using percentages from small populations (there may be high rates from small numbers in small populations)** Elmore 919 693 q 52.5 3.7 25.6 4.5 5.5 12.6 – 1.0 0.0 56.1 West Bendigo 933 384 q 43.0 4.9 7.9 1.4 3.4 26.4 – 1.6 0.0 51.4 Goornong 936 300 q 42.7 0.0 11.2 1.0 3.0 18.4 – 1.3 0.0 55.7 Sailors Gully (suburb) 965 647 r 40.4 0.0 11.4 0.5 3.1 20.6 – 2.3 0.0 45.9 Marong 969 271 q 44.7 0.0 17.2 1.2 2.9 4.2 10 0.0 0.0 55.9 Raywood 972 133 r 50.0 0.0 18.1 4.2 3.8 15.4 – 3.0 0.0 40.0 Axedale 972 229 q 36.1 0.0 8.8 1.3 7.0 5.3 – 0.0 0.0 33.3

Populations in Greater Bendigo suburbs (5782) and Heathcote (414) contribute to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in Australia (Table 1)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 37 Disadvantaged areas in the Greater  The area has a higher rate of high care aged Bendigo LGA by the Index of Relative care places (42 compared to 38 per 1000 Socio-economic Disadvantage (SEIFA) population eligible) Greater Bendigo contains eleven suburbs in  Fewer households have no internet (44% Bendigo, one mid-sized town and six small compared to 47%, LGA Snapshot 11 page 50, towns that score below the regional Victoria Figure 14) average on the Index of Relative Disadvantage. Around 36 to 55% of these populations have = The same proportion of residents report they low incomes and Bendigo suburbs have higher have experienced transport limitations (21%, than average public housing. There is a greater LGA snapshot 10 page 47, Figure 15) proportion of people aged over 65 in most areas  Fewer residents report their area has good and a around half have a larger proportion of facilities and services like shops, childcare, single parent families. Most have a higher than schools, libraries (76% compared to 77%, LGA average multicultural mix. Snapshot 7, page 38) Context: Greater Bendigo LGA in general  Fewer residents report their area has a wide Early years/education/employment range of community and support groups (64% compared to 67%, LGA snapshot 9, page 44) › 13% of children (144) across the LGA were found to be developmentally vulnerable in their fi rst year of school of 2009 (LGA Snapshot 3, page 26) LGA snapshot 7 Residents that feel their area has good facilities and › The LGA has an unemployment rate of 5.9% services like shops, childcare, schools, libraries, 2008 compared to 5.8% for Victoria (March 2010) (DPCD 2010a) (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) › One in fi ve (20%) of those aged between Loddon Mallee 77% 15 and 19 are not engaged in work or Mildura 84% further education or training (LGA snapshot 5, page 32) Campaspe 81% › Nearly one in fi ve of those employed are Macedon Ranges 79% semi skilled or unskilled workers (18%) (LGA Central Goldfi elds 78% snapshot 6, page 35) Greater Bendigo 75% Access to services Mount Alexander 75% The LGA is “accessible” by the Accessibility and Remoteness Index (Figure 13) Gannawarra 72% Compared to the Loddon Mallee averages: Swan Hill 68% Buloke 64%  More residents report their area has easy access to recreational and leisure facilities Loddon 49% (79% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 8, page 41)  The area has a higher rate of low care aged care places (55 compared to 51 per 1000 population eligible)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 38 Loddon LGA

Production landscape predominantly agriculture (Figure 6) 0.02 projected annual population rate of change 2006 to 2026 (growth)

/2''21 9$//(< +,*+:$<

3<5$0,'+,//

%2257

0,7,$02

&$/'(5 +,*+:$< .2521*9$/(

:(''(5%851

,1*/(:22'

%5,'*(:$7(5

Collection Districts by Victorian decile

9th and 10th deciles (Least disadvantaged) 7th and 8th deciles 5th and 6th deciles 3rd and 4th deciles 7$51$*8//$ 2nd decile 1st decile (Most disadvantaged) Unranked Town boundary

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 39 Localities with SEIFA RSD scores under the regional Victorian average of 986 decline or or decline r ciency growth, q = stable 2006 to 2001) income Individual under $400 a week Public Housing dwellings 65 Over alone living 75 Over Disability families parent Single Developmentally children vulnerable Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Low English Proﬁ with Households internet no Locality SEIFA Population (

Populations in Korong Vale (171), Wedderburn (720), Tarnagulla (153), Inglewood (638), Bridgewater (304), and Pyramid Hill (465) contribute to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in Australia (Table 1)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 40 Disadvantaged areas in the Loddon LGA  Fewer residents report their area has a wide by the Index of Relative Socio-economic range of community and support groups (54% Disadvantage (SEIFA) compared to 67%, LGA snapshot 9, page 44 Loddon contains two rural catchments and seven  More households have no internet (55% small towns that score below the regional Victoria compared to 47%, LGA Snapshot 11 page 50, average on the Index of Relative Disadvantage. Figure 14) Around 48 to 80% of these populations have low incomes and Wedderburn and Pyramid Hill have  More residents report they have experienced a larger proportion of public housing. All areas transport limitations (26% compared to 21%, have a greater proportion of people aged over LGA snapshot 10 page 47, Figure 15) 65 and most have a larger proportion of single  The area has a lower rate of high care aged parent families. Only Bridgewater has a higher care places (20 compared to 38 per 1000 than average multicultural mix. population eligible) Context: Loddon LGA in general Early years/education/employment LGA snapshot 8 › 17% of children (15) across the LGA were Residents that feel their area has easy access to found to be developmentally vulnerable in their recreational and leisure facilities, 2008 (DPCD 2010a) fi rst year of school of 2009 (LGA Snapshot 3, page 26) Loddon Mallee 77% › The LGA has an unemployment rate of 4.9% Mildura 79% compared to 5.8% for Victoria (March 2010) (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) Greater Bendigo 79% › 13% of those aged between 15 and 19 are not Mount Alexander 78% engaged in work or further education or training Central Goldfi elds 78% (LGA snapshot 5, page 32) Macedon Ranges 76% › One in fi ve of those employed are semi skilled or unskilled workers (21%) (LGA snapshot 6, Buloke 74% page 35) Campaspe 74% Access to services Gannawarra 72% The LGA is “accessible” by the Accessibility and Swan Hill 69% Remoteness Index (Figure 13) Loddon 59% Compared to the Loddon Mallee averages:  The area has a higher rate of low care aged care places (54 compared to 51 per 1000 population eligible)  Fewer residents report their area has good facilities and services like shops, childcare, schools, libraries (49% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 7, page 38)  Fewer residents report their area has easy access to recreational and leisure facilities (60% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 8, page 41)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 41 Macedon Ranges LGA

“Amenity” pressures landscape (Figure 8) 1.52 projected annual population rate of change 2006 to 2026 (growth)

Collection Districts by Victorian decile

9th and 10th deciles (Least disadvantaged) 7th and 8th deciles 5th and 6th deciles 3rd and 4th deciles 2nd decile 1st decile (Most disadvantaged) Unranked Town boundary 0$/06%85<

&$/'(5 )5((:$<

.<1(721

/$1&(),(/'

5206(< :22'(1'

02817 0$&('21

0$&('21 5,''(//6&5((.

*,6%251(

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 42 Localities with SEIFA RSD scores under the regional Victorian average of 986 decline or or decline r ciency growth, q = stable 2006 to 2001) income Individual under $400 a week Public Housing dwellings 65 Over alone living 75 Over Disability families parent Single Developmentally children vulnerable Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Low English Proﬁ with Households internet no Locality SEIFA Population (

Populations in for Kyneton (230) contributes to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in Australia (Table 1)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 43 Disadvantaged areas in the Macedon  Fewer residents report their area has a wide Ranges LGA by the Index of Relative range of community and support groups (62% Socio-economic Disadvantage (SEIFA) compared to 67%, LGA snapshot 9, page 44) Macedon Ranges contains one large and one  More residents report they have experienced small town that score below the regional Victoria transport limitations (23% compared to 21%, average on the Index of Relative Disadvantage. LGA snapshot 10 page 47, Figure 15) Around 39 to 43% of these populations have low incomes but there is less public housing. There is  The area has a lower rate of high care aged a greater proportion of people aged over 65 and care places (35 compared to 38 per 1000 a greater proportion of single parent families in population eligible) Kyneton. Kyneton also has a larger than average  The area has a lower rate of low care aged multicultural mix. care places (43 compared to 51 per 1000 Context: Macedon Ranges LGA in general population eligible) Early years/education/employment

› 9% of children (48) across the LGA were LGA snapshot 9 found to be developmentally vulnerable in their Residents that feel their area has a wide range of ﬁ rst year of school of 2009 (LGA Snapshot 3, community and support groups, 2008 (DPCD 2010a) page 26) › The LGA has an unemployment rate of 2.8% Loddon Mallee 67% compared to 5.8% for Victoria (March 2010) Campaspe 76% – the lowest of the 10 LGAs in Loddon Mallee (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) Mount Alexander 74% › 15% of those aged between 15 and 19 are not Central Goldﬁ elds 74% engaged in work or further education or training Buloke 73% (LGA snapshot 5, page 32) › 14% of those employed are semi skilled or Mildura 71% unskilled workers (LGA snapshot 6, page 35) Gannawarra 64% Access to services Greater Bendigo 64% The LGA is “accessible” by the Accessibility and Macedon Ranges 62% Remoteness Index (Figure 13) Swan Hill 60% Compared to the Loddon Mallee averages: Loddon 54%  More residents report their area has good facilities and services like shops, childcare, schools, libraries (79% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 7, page 38)  Fewer households have no internet (32% compared to 47%, LGA Snapshot 11 page 50, Figure 14) = The same proportion of residents report their area has easy access to recreational and leisure facilities (76% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 8, page 41)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 44 Mildura LGA

Production landscape predominantly agriculture (Figure 6) 0.35 projected annual population rate of change 2006 to 2026 (growth)

Collection Districts by Victorian decile

9th and 10th deciles (Least disadvantaged) 7th and 8th deciles 0(5%(,1 0,/'85$ 5th and 6th deciles 3rd and 4th deciles &$%$5,7$ 2nd decile ,5<03/( 1st decile (Most disadvantaged) 5('&/,))6 Unranked Town boundary

0$//(( +,*+:$< 28<(1

:$/3(83 81'(5%22/ 6815$<6,$ +,*+:$< 0855$<9,//(

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 45 Localities with SEIFA RSD scores under the regional Victorian average of 986 decline or or decline r ciency growth, q = stable 2006 to 2001) income Individual under $400 a week Public Housing dwellings 65 Over alone living 75 Over Disability families parent Single Developmentally children vulnerable Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Low English Proﬁ with Households internet no Locality SEIFA Population (

Populations in Mildura (7025), Merbein (1560) and Red Cliffs (1409) contribute to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in Australia (Table 1)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 46 Disadvantaged areas in the Mildura LGA  More residents report their area has a wide by the Index of Relative Socio-economic range of community and support groups (71% Disadvantage (SEIFA) compared to 67%, LGA snapshot 9, page 44) Mildura contains one large, three mid-sized  Fewer residents report they have experienced and two small towns that score below the transport limitations (16% compared to 21%, regional Victoria average on the Index of LGA snapshot 10 page 47, Figure 15) Relative Disadvantage. Around 38 to 50% of the population of these towns have low incomes and = The area has the same rate of high care aged Mildura and Red Cliffs have higher than average care places (38 compared to 38 per 1000 public housing. All towns except Mildura have a population eligible) greater proportion of people aged over 65 and all  The area has a lower rate of low care aged have a higher proportion of single parent families. care places (49 compared to 51 per 1000 Mildura, Red Cliffs, Merbein and Murrayville have population eligible) a higher than average multicultural mix.  More households have no internet (50% Context: Mildura LGA in general compared to 47%, LGA Snapshot 11 page 50, Early years/education/employment Figure 14)

› 13% of children (82) across the LGA were found to be developmentally vulnerable in their fi rst year of school of 2009 (LGA Snapshot 3, LGA snapshot 10 page 26) People that experienced transport limitation in the last 12 months, 2007 (CIV 2007) › The LGA has an unemployment rate of 7.6% compared to 5.8% for Victoria (March 2010) – Loddon Mallee 21% 2nd highest of the 10 LGAs in Loddon Mallee (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) Loddon 26% › One in fi ve (22%) of those aged between Mount Alexander 24% 15 and 19 are not engaged in work or further education or training (LGA snapshot 5, Central Goldfi elds 24% page 32) Buloke 24% › Nearly one quarter of those employed are Macedon Ranges 23% semi skilled or unskilled workers (22%) (LGA snapshot 6, page 35) Campaspe 22% Access to services Gannawarra 21% Greater Bendigo 21% The LGA is “moderately accessible” with some “Remote” areas by the Accessibility and Swan Hill 17% Remoteness Index (Figure 13) Mildura 15% Compared to the Loddon Mallee averages:  More residents report their area has good facilities and services like shops, childcare, schools, libraries (84% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 7, page 38)  More residents report their area has easy access to recreational and leisure facilities (80% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 8, page 41)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 47 Mount Alexander LGA

“Amenity” pressures landscape (Figure 8) 1.29 projected annual population rate of change 2006 to 2026 (growth)

Collection Districts by Victorian decile

9th and 10th deciles (Least disadvantaged) 7th and 8th deciles 5th and 6th deciles 3rd and 4th deciles 2nd decile 1st decile (Most disadvantaged) Unranked Town boundary

&$/'(5 +,*+:$<

0$/'21 +$5&2857

0,'/$1' +,*+:$< &$67/(0$,1( &$/'(5 )5((:$<

&$03%(//6 &5((. 1(:67($' 3<5(1((6 &+(:721 +,*+:$<

*8,/')25' 7$5$'$/( y

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 48 Localities with SEIFA RSD scores under the regional Victorian average of 986 decline or or decline r ciency growth, q = stable 2006 to 2001) income Individual under $400 a week Public Housing dwellings 65 Over alone living 75 Over Disability families parent Single Developmentally children vulnerable Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Low English Proﬁ with Households internet no Locality SEIFA Population (

Populations in Castlemaine – Moonlight Flat (238) contributes to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in Australia (Table 1)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 49 Disadvantaged areas in the Mount  Fewer households have no internet (45% Alexander LGA by the Index of Relative compared to 47%, LGA Snapshot 11 page 50, Socio-economic Disadvantage (SEIFA) Figure 14) Mount Alexander contains one large, two mid-  Fewer residents report their area has good sized and three small towns that score below the facilities and services like shops, childcare, regional Victoria average on the Index of Relative schools, libraries (75% compared to 77%, Disadvantage. Around 43 to 55% of these LGA Snapshot 7, page 38) populations have low incomes but no towns have higher than average amounts of public housing.  More residents report they have experienced There is a greater proportion of people aged transport limitations (25% compared to 21%, over 65 and a greater proportion of single parent LGA snapshot 10 page 47, Figure 15) families in all areas. Only Chewton has a higher  The area has a lower rate of low care aged than average limited multicultural mix. care places (42 compared to 51 per 1000 Context: Mount Alexander LGA in general population eligible) Early years/education/employment

› 12% of children (23) across the LGA were LGA snapshot 11 found to be developmentally vulnerable in their Households with no internet connection 2006 ﬁ rst year of school of 2009 (LGA Snapshot 3) (ABS 2006) › The LGA has an unemployment rate of 6.1% compared to 5.8% for Victoria (March 2010) – Victoria 39% the 3rd highest rate in the 10 LGAs in Loddon Loddon Mallee Region 47% Mallee (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) Central Goldﬁ elds 59% › Nearly one quarter (23%) of those aged between 15 and 19 are not engaged in work or Loddon 55% further education or training (LGA snapshot 5, Gannawarra 55% page 32) › Nearly one quarter of those employed are Buloke 54% semi skilled or unskilled workers (20%) (LGA Swan Hill 53% snapshot 6, page 35) Campaspe 50% Access to services Mildura 50% The LGA is “accessible” by the Accessibility and Mount Alexander 45% Remoteness Index (Figure 13) Greater Bendigo 44% Compared to the Loddon Mallee averages: Macedon Ranges 32%  More residents report their area has easy access to recreational and leisure facilities (79% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 8, page 41)  More residents report their area has a wide range of community and support groups (74% compared to 67%, LGA snapshot 9, page 44)  The area has a higher rate of high care aged care places (44 compared to 38 per 1000 population eligible)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 50 Swan Hill LGA

Production landscape predominantly agriculture (Figure 6) 0.19 projected annual population rate of change 2006 to 2026 (growth)

Collection Districts 52%,19$/( by Victorian decile 9th and 10th deciles (Least disadvantaged) 0855$< 9$//(< 7th and 8th deciles +,*+:$< 5th and 6th deciles 3rd and 4th deciles 2nd decile 1st decile (Most disadvantaged) Unranked Town boundary

0$//(( +,*+:$< 0$1$1*$7$1* 3,$1*,/

1<$+

1<$+:(67

:225,1(1

6:$1+,//

8/7,0$ /$.(%2*$

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 51 Localities with SEIFA RSD scores under the regional Victorian average of 986 decline or or decline r ciency growth, q = stable 2006 to 2001) income Individual under $400 a week Public Housing dwellings 65 Over alone living 75 Over Disability families parent Single Developmentally children vulnerable Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Low English Proﬁ with Households internet no Locality SEIFA Population (

Postcodes for Swan Hill (1048), Robinvale (1977) and Nyah West (551) contribute to the most disadvantaged 10% of the population in Australia (Table 1)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 52 Disadvantaged areas in the Swan  Fewer residents report their area has good Hill LGA by the Index of Relative facilities and services like shops, childcare, Socio-economic Disadvantage (SEIFA) schools, libraries (68% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 7, page 38) Swan Hill contains one large town, one mid-sized town, six small towns and a rural catchment that  Fewer residents report their area has easy score below the regional Victoria average on the access to recreational and leisure facilities Index of Relative Disadvantage. Around 39 to (69% compared to 77%, LGA Snapshot 8, 57% of the populations of these towns have low page 41) incomes and Swan Hill, Robinvale, Nyah West and Manangatang have higher than average  Fewer residents report their area has a wide public housing. Swan Hill and most of the small range of community and support groups (60% towns have a greater proportion of people aged compared to 67%, LGA snapshot 9, page 44) over 65 and most also have a higher proportion  Fewer households have internet (50% of single parent families. All towns except Piangil compared to 47%, LGA Snapshot 11 page 50, and Nyah have a multicultural mix. Figure 14) Context: Swan Hill LGA in general  The area has a lower rate of high care aged Early years/education/employment care places (36 compared to 38 per 1000 population eligible) › 13% of children (36) across the LGA were found to be developmentally vulnerable in their fi rst year of school of 2009 (LGA Snapshot 3, page 26) LGA snapshot 12 Individual income under $400 per week, 2006 › The LGA has an unemployment rate of 6.1% (ABS 2006) compared to 5.8% for Victoria (March 2010) – the 3rd highest rate in the 10 LGAs in Loddon Victoria 46% Mallee (LGA snapshot 4, page 29) Macedon Ranges 65% › One in fi ve (22%) of those aged between 15 and 19 are not engaged in work or Central Goldfi elds 63% further education or training (LGA snapshot 5, page 32) Loddon 60% › Nearly one quarter of those employed are Buloke 59% semi skilled or unskilled workers (22%) (LGA Mount Alexander 54% snapshot 6, page 35) Gannawarra 54% Access to services Mildura 50% The LGA is “moderately accessible” by the Campaspe 50% Accessibility and Remoteness Index (Figure 13) Swan Hill 50% Compared to the Loddon Mallee averages: Greater Bendigo 40%  Fewer residents report they have experienced transport limitations (17% compared to 21%, * Low income includes retired people that may LGA snapshot 10 page 47, Figure 15) have low incomes but assets = The area has the same rate of low care aged care places (51 compared to 51 per 1000 population eligible)

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 53 Conclusion and what can be done

The data in this report show that disadvantage is › local governments in the economic clustered in different localities across the Loddon development of local areas, providing services Mallee region. Each appears to have a different (early years, aged care, youth services) and in mix of people. Some are predominantly aging community development; and populations, some working populations and › non-government organisations in providing some concentrations of welfare recipients. Some services and advocating on behalf of areas have a signifi cant multicultural mix, while disadvantaged groups. others do not. These differences are the result of economic and demographic changes occurring Because of its complexity, reducing disadvantage across the region that are resulting in: will require collaboration. It will require partnerships of agencies bringing a range › a decrease of economic opportunities for of resources to bear on the issue. In the fi rst residents in some areas particularly for unskilled instance, it will require processes that bring workers (of which there is a greater proportion together empirical, expert, strategic and local in Loddon Mallee – a trend likely to perpetuate knowledge to identify strategic priorities and due to lower than state average educational locally appropriate solutions. It will also involve outcomes across early years, secondary and building the capacities of both communities and tertiary education); agencies to mount effective responses. › population growth, decline or change that is causing a need for the restructure of services Change will continue to occur in the Loddon (putting pressure of services, creating a need Mallee region and individuals, families and for new services or making services in some communities will need to continue to adapt. areas not viable); or This can be supported by service systems and governments that are also refl exive to change › the concentration of disadvantage in certain and that fi nd processes for dealing with complex areas because of rising housing costs in some issues, like disadvantage, that run across areas with others not keeping pace (trapping agencies and jurisdictions. residents) in others. The complex and multidimensional nature of disadvantage means that the efforts of a range The complex and multidimensional of agencies will be needed to reduce it or lessen its impacts. No single agency holds all the nature of disadvantage means levers to the factors outlined in the beginning of reducing disadvantage will require this report as making a difference to social and collaboration across a range economic wellbeing (Figure 10). The roles played of agencies. by different agencies include:

› the Commonwealth government in employment policy, income support, the tax transfer system (including pensions and beneﬁ ts, etc), housing, health and other social programs; › the State government in providing or subsidising essential services (health, education and training, etc), planning policy, housing, support for economic development, reducing barriers to opportunity and supporting disadvantaged groups and places;

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 54 Appendix A. The full list of relatively disadvantaged towns in the Loddon Mallee region

Towns that score under the Regional Victorian average (986) on the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage.

Small towns <1000 Medium sized towns 1000–3000 Large sized towns >3000

SEIFA Pop. change Town RSD Population 2001–6 1 Loddon Korong Vale 788 168 r 2 Swan Hill Nyah West 804 553 q 3 C.Goldfi elds Dunolly 817 607 r 4 Loddon Wedderburn 830 697 q 5 Loddon Tarnagulla 835 155 q 6 Campaspe Gigarre 851 186 r 7 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – Long Gully 852 3287 r 8 Loddon Inglewood 853 685 q 9 Swan Hill Robinvale 858 2211 q 10 Loddon Pyramid Hill 862 463 q 11 Campaspe Gunbower 867 266 r 12 Gannawarra Quambatook 867 253 q 13 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – California Gully 869 3842 q 14 Swan Hill Manangatang 882 264 r 15 Mildura Merbein 888 1976 q 16 C.Goldfi elds Maryborough 891 7687 q 17 Swan Hill Piangil 893 164 q 18 Mildura Red Cliffs 893 2742 q 19 Campaspe Rushworth 893 1038 q 20 G.Bendigo Heathcote 897 1568 q 21 C.Goldfi elds Bealiba 898 116 r 22 C.Goldfi elds Talbot 900 294 r 23 Buloke Berriwillock 902 122 q 24 Gannawarra Koondrook 909 802 q 25 Campaspe Tongala 909 1257 q 26 Campaspe Lockington 911 420 q 27 Loddon Bridgewater 916 394 r 28 G.Bendigo Elmore 919 693 q 29 Mt.Alexander Newstead 920 487 r 30 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – Eaglehawk 924 4352 q 31 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – Nth Bendigo 925 3763 q 32 Mt.Alexander Chewton 927 403 q 33 Gannawarra Leitchville 932 271 r 34 C.Goldfi elds Carisbrook 933 714 q 35 G.Bendigo West Bendigo 933 384 q 36 Buloke Wycheproof 933 688 q

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 55 Small towns <1000 Medium sized towns 1000–3000 Large sized towns >3000

SEIFA Pop. change Town RSD Population 2001–6 37 Buloke Sea Lake 934 634 r 38 Buloke Charlton 935 1071 q 39 Loddon Dunolly RC 936 1136 r 40 G.Bendigo Goornong 936 300 q 41 Swan Hill Nyah 936 322 r 42 Campaspe Colbinabbin 937 114 r 43 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – Ironbark 938 1182 q 44 Gannawarra Kerang 939 3775 q 45 Buloke Donald 940 1432 q 46 Swan Hill Ultima 941 160 q 47 C.Goldﬁ elds Maryborough RC 942 2639 q 48 Mildura Mildura 943 30008 q 49 Macedon Ranges Kyneton 944 4289 q 50 Buloke Birchip 945 685 q 51 Swan Hill Woorinen 946 315 r 52 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – Kangaroo Flat 947 8411 q 53 Campaspe Kyabram 947 5619 q 54 Campaspe Rochester 951 2830 q 55 Gannawarra Cohuna 952 1889 q 56 Mildura Murrayville 952 211 r 57 Loddon Wedderburn RC 952 480 q 58 Campaspe Stanhope 954 519 = 59 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – Golden Square 956 8165 q 60 Loddon Boort 956 776 q 61 Mildura Ouyen 956 1059 r 62 Mildura Underbool 956 217 q 63 Swan Hill Swan Hill 957 9698 q 64 Mount Alexander Guilford 958 207 q 65 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – White Hills 960 2623 q 66 Mount Alexander Castlemaine 963 7259 q 67 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – Sailors Gully 965 647 r 68 Campaspe Echuca 966 12 363 q 69 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – Flora Hill 967 3847 q 70 Mt.Alexander Maldon 967 1228 q 71 G.Bendigo Marong 969 271 q 72 G.Bendigo Bendigo Suburb – Bendigo 971 6052 r 73 Swan Hill Nyah West RC 971 324 q 74 G.Bendigo Axedale 972 229 q 75 G.Bendigo Raywood 972 133 r 76 Mt.Alexander Campbells Creek 980 1265 q 77 Campaspe Rushworth RC 981 1026 q

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 56 References

DPCD gratefully acknowledges the Department of Health and its two data collation products from which most of the data for this report (referenced below) has been drawn:

› 2009 Local Government Area Statistical Proﬁ les (DHS 2009) › Town and Community Proﬁ les 2008 (DHS 2009)

ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2006) Census of Population and Housing data. Australian Bureau of Statistics website. www.abs.gov.au. Accessed July 2010. ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2010) SEIFA: Socioeconomic Indexes for Areas webpage http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/Seifa_entry_page. Accessed July 2010. ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2010a) 1367.2 – State and Regional Indicators, Victoria, Mar 2010 webpage. Unemployment estimates. Available at http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/ [email protected]/Latestproducts/B9D12E43B7000E74CA257729002006E4?opendocument Accessed July 2010. AHURI (Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute) (2005) Why low-income households move: the search for affordable housing and employment. Research and Policy Bulletin, Issue 53 Available at www.ahuri.edu.au/publications/download/8726 Accessed July 2010. Australian Government (2009) A compendium of social inclusion indicators. How’s Australia faring? www.socialinclusion.gov.au >Publications. Accessed July 2010. Barr N (2009) The House on the Hill: the transformation of Australia’s farming communities. Land & Water Australia in association with Halstead Press: Canberra. CIV (Community Indicators Victoria) (2007) Community Wellbeing Survey of Victorian LGAs. http://www.communityindicators.net.au Accessed July 2010. DEECD (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development) (2010) Victorian Australian Early Childhood Development (AEDI) results for areas information sheets. DEECD: Melbourne. DHS (Department of Human Services Workforce Planning, Portfolio Services and Strategic Projects Division) (2009) 2009 Local Government Area Statistical Proﬁ les and Town and Community Proﬁ les 2008. DHS (Department of Human Services Workforce Planning, Portfolio Services and Strategic Projects Division) (2009a) Accessibility ARIA+ map. https://fac.dhs.vic.gov.au/publicfolder/ data_statistics/DHS/maps/ARIAP.pdf Accessed July 2010. DHS (Department of Human Services) (2010) Summary of Housing Assistance Programs 2008–09 (word version). DHS Housing and Community Building Division: Melbourne. Available at www.housing.vic.gov.au/publications/reports Accessed July 2010. DIIRD (Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development) (2010) Live in Victoria website. http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/working-and-employment/skill-shortages. Accessed July 2006.

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 57 DIMIA (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) (2009) Settlement database. Taken from DHS 2009 DPC (Premier and Cabinet) (2005) A Fairer Victoria. DPC: Melbourne. DPCD (Department of Planning and Community Development) (2007) DPCD compilation of Local Council data about non resident rates payers. DPCD (Department of Planning and Community Development) (2008) Towns in Time. DPCD: Melbourne. Available at http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DSE/dsenres.nsf/LinkView/ E05D934749B13CE2CA256D3B0005539F5D8F38B915AF5AA1CA256D1A0022BDE9 Accessed July 2010. DPCD (Department of Planning and Community Development) (2008a) Victoria in Future 2008 – Population Projections. DPCD: Melbourne. Available at http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DSE/dsenres.nsf/ LinkView/BD4EF8A400A9E6DECA256D8D00151A4F775206E3E0281595CA256F0E0013C1FB Accessed July 2010. DPCD (Department of Planning and Community Development) (2010) Strategic Policy Research and Forecasting, DPCD. LGA maps of the SEIFA Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage mapped at the collector district level. www.dpcd.vic.gov.au >Urban and Regional > Demographics Accessed July 2006. DPCD (Department of Planning and Community Development) (2010a) Indicators of Community Strength at the Local Government Area Level for Victoria, 2008 www.dpcd.vic.gov.au >Research and Publications Accessed July 2010. DPCD (Department of Planning and Community Development) (2010b) Victoria’s regional centres – a generation of change. Bendigo. DPCD: Melbourne. Forthcoming on www.dpcd.vic.gov.au DSE (Department of Sustainability and Environment) (2005) Regional Matters: an atlas of Regional Victoria 2005. www.dpcd.vic.gov.au. Accessed July 2010. PHIDU (Public Health Information Development Unit) (2010) The Social Health Atlas of Australia: Victoria. (Editions since 1999). www.publichealth.gov.au. Accessed July 2010. Saunders P & Wong M (2009) Still doing it tough: an update on deprivation and social exclusion among welfare service clients. Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales. www.sprc.unsw.edu.au. Accessed July 2010. SGS Economics & Planning (2009) The role of community development in responding to economic decline. Paper commissioned by Community Development, DPCD. Vinson T (2004) Community adversity and resilience. JSS: Melbourne. Vinson T (2007) Dropping Off the Edge. JSS & CSSA: Melbourne.

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Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 59 If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, such as large print or audio, please telephone Jeanette Pope on 9208 3849, or email [email protected]. This publication is published in PDF and Word formats on www.dpcd.vic.gov.au

Published by the Department of Planning and Community Development 1 Spring Street Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Telephone (03) 9208 3799 March 2011 © Copyright State Government of Victoria 2007 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne. DOT5646/11

Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region, Victoria 60