Increasing community pride and participation

Community festivals

People from across Geelong enjoy the community festivals and events held in the Corio and Norlane area. These include:

• Going Potty 2007: celebrating gardens and the arts with free entertainment and activities in Connections Park
• SKAART (Skate and Art) Youth Festival: attracting 1200 people to Windsor Park for free food and activities
• Christmas@ Windsor Park: The 2006 celebrations included carols and other activities for local residents and Santa!

Getting involved and working together
"After seeing people from Neighbourhood Renewal, Cloverdale Community Centre and the City of Greater Geelong working on the vacant block outside my house, I became involved in making the area more beautiful, appealing and safer for residents. 11 months on, look at me now! I'm on a lot of committees and really involved in making change happen and enjoying it!"
Margaret

Residents are involved in planting days and free training to beautify and re-vegetate Limeburner's Lagoon. Community Planting Days have been held at various parks and open spaces throughout Corio and Norlane.

Local news and information
Neighbourhood Renewal is one of the sponsors of the Northerly Aspects free community newsletter, which reports on positive news happening in the northern suburbs of Geelong. Local activities, courses and businesses are also advertised.

Improving employment, learning and local economic activity

Employment programs
Neighbourhood Renewal's Employment Support Initiative and the Workforce Participation Program are linking residents with jobs, particularly in areas of skill shortage.
Since Neighbourhood Renewal began in Corio Norlane, these schemes have helped more than 70 residents find jobs. In 2006/07 they will help a further 32 residents into employment.

Community Jobs Program
The Community Jobs Program, which operated until 2004-05, found jobs for over 3,775 participants, including 851 Neighbourhood Renewal residents. In Corio Norlane, a total of 133 residents found work through the program.

Social enterprises
"Working (here) has given me the chance to meet new people, keep myself occupied, learn new skills and widen my circle of friends."
Kaylene

Neighbourhood Renewal is supporting social enterprises that create jobs and training opportunities for Neighbourhood Renewal residents. The enterprises generally employ people as trainees for 12 months or less and help them onto further employment and learning pathways. In Corio Norlane, the Rosewall Training Caf¿CREATE@Work and Curtain Connection are currently operating.

Low cost or free training
Organisations are providing free and low cost training courses that are advertised in the Northerly Aspects free community newsletter, delivered to over 10,000 homes in Corio and Norlane every term. Many more courses are run at minimal cost through the local neighbourhood houses.

Enhancing housing and the environment

Housing improvements

Neighbourhood Renewal has spent more than $18 million on delivering over 900 housing upgrades and immediate improvements. In 2006/07 a further $2.5 million will fund works to approximately 86 more homes.

Better Parks
Neighbourhood Renewal is working with residents, local government and other partners to develop local recreation areas including:

• Connections Park in Rosewall
• Windsor Park in Norlane
• Horne and Chaffey Squares in Cloverdale
• Glenelg Avenue Community Park in Corio
• Evans Reserve in Norlane

Improving streetscapes
Since 2002 Neighbourhood Renewal has committed $4.5 million for streetscape improvement works to 500 homes. Local residents employed by the CREATE@Work Enterprise have installed new fencing, letterboxes and external sunblinds to these homes.

Reducing energy usage and costs
Students from Norlane and Corio have installed free energy saving devices in over 200 homes as part of their School Based New Apprenticeships. Residents have received advice about energy usage and how to save money on their energy bills.

Improving personal safety and reducing crime

The Home Fire Safety strategy
Local emergency services are working with Neighbourhood Renewal to develop the Home Fire Safety Strategy. Volunteer safety session presenters, working with the Country Fire Authority and other emergency services, will help to increase residents' fire-prevention knowledge.

Road safety hotline
The road safety hotline allows residents to leave messages for the Police about speeding and other "hoon" driving behaviour.

Promoting security
Neighbourhood Renewal has supported the installation of sensor lights in around 500 local homes. Neighbourhood Renewal actively supports the local Neighbourhood Watch programs.

Promoting health and wellbeing

Sustainable Physical Activity in the Neighbourhood (SPAN)
Neighbourhood Renewal has funded $80,000 to support the SPAN project in Corio Norlane. A project worker is developing physical activity options to help get people moving!

Youth activities
A group of young people continue to plan and run youth activities such as SKAART (Skate and Art) Youth Festival and other Youth Week and Drug Action Week activities.

Community gardens
"Being involved in community garden activities and other projects, you get to know more local residents. Age is no barrier to getting to know someone!"
Len The "Gardens in our Community" network brings together garden lovers to share their passion and skills. A number of community gardens are currently being established in Corio and Norlane.

Health promotion
Local community members have been trained in health promotion through the Deakin Peer Health Coaching Project. These community members share their knowledge of healthy lifestyles and behaviours with people they come in contact with on a daily basis.

Increasing access to services and improving government responsiveness

Residents "having a say"
"It's nice to be able to have your say and be listened to through Neighbourhood Renewal."
Liz

In 2005, 600 residents were asked about what could be improved in the neighbourhood. This year another 600 residents will be surveyed. Their ideas will continue to guide the work of all Neighbourhood Renewal partners over the next two years.

More services in the neighbourhood
"It's great to see so many agencies and services working and moving in to this area to help the local community."
Wes

To date more than $23 million has been dedicated to improve community infrastructure, housing, services, training and employment. Funds have also been allocated to sporting and social activities.
Neighbourhood Renewal has contributed to the establishment of the Community Mediation Centre, which opened recently at Cloverdale Community Centre.

Norlane Neighbourhood House has partnered with a number of community agencies to deliver services locally.

$25,000 has been committed for the expansion of CREATE's Young Mum's Program in Robin Avenue, Norlane.

"Neighbourhood Renewal helped us to establish the committee for the Geelong Community Shed. We have been supported all the way and now have a place for people to come, use their skills or learn new skills and have a coffee and a chat."
Maurice