Increasing community pride and participation

Community consultation
Community action groups are getting together to discuss their concerns at a number of forums. They are providing feedback to Neighbourhood Renewal on the improvements that they would like to see.

Evaluating Neighbourhood Renewal
Delacombe residents have undertaken a major evaluation to identify local priorities and assess progress across Neighbourhood Renewal's six key objectives. Over 250 local people have been surveyed.

Improving employment, learning and local economic activity

Employment Support Initiatives
Neighbourhood Renewal's Employment Support Initiative is linking residents with jobs, particularly in areas of skill shortage. In 2006/07 the Building Bridges to Work Employment Support Initiative will help four Delacombe residents into employment.

Enhancing housing and the environment

Upgrading and improving housing
In 2006/07 Neighbourhood Renewal has allocated $720,000 to fund housing upgrades and immediate improvements in the area.
The immediate improvements will be delivered through the innovative Front Yard Blitz project. The project gives residents a choice of different elements, including landscaping, garden paths, fencing and mailbox features, to create a unique plan for their own front yard. Approximately 35 properties will be blitzed this financial year and a further 25 properties will receive housing upgrades.

Tree planting
The City of Ballarat and local residents have been planting trees in Wiltshire Lane.

Energy retrofits
BEST Community Development is partnering with Delacombe Neighbourhood Renewal, Sustainability Victoria and Central Highlands Water to provide homes with environmental retrofits to reduce energy consumption. A team of residents has been employed to carry out the work.

Leawarra Crescent Park redevelopment
Neighbourhood Renewal is supporting the development of the Leawarra Crescent Park. Two residents have been employed to engage the community in park planning and improvements. Potential features of the development include a playground upgrade, seating, shelter, planting and landscaping. Students from BEST Youthworks will also develop a community art piece for the park.

Urban design assessment
An urban design assessment has been completed in Delacombe. The assessment considered major urban design issues for the Neighbourhood Renewal area including road linkages, walkability and the development of key community sites. A project control group with representatives from the community and government has been established to oversee more detailed planning around the initiatives identified in the assessment.

Improving personal safety and reducing crime

Community survey results
The Well Being and Safety Action Group will use the results of the community survey to develop projects that will address local safety priorities

Promoting health and wellbeing

Health priorities
The Well Being and Safety action group will use the results of the community survey to develop projects that will address local health and well being priorities.

Increasing access to services and improving government responsiveness

New office space at the Deladome
A demountable from the Commonwealth Games has been relocated to Delacombe. It is being used as an office by the Neighbourhood Renewal team and as a space for community activities.