Increasing community pride and participation

Greater community participation
The estate's volunteer coordinator is working with the community to increase community participation.

Access to English language classes
Five new English language classes have been established on the Estate.

A multi-cultural community
Community groups are coming together every month to take part in a range of joint activities.

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 skill shortage areas. The Public Tenant Employment Program is helping residents find work with contractors who have tendered to deliver housing maintenance and upgrade works.

Since Neighbourhood Renewal began in Collingwood, these schemes have helped 44 residents (from Collingwood and Fitzroy) find jobs. They will help a further five residents in 2006/07.

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 Collingwood and Fitzroy, a total of 90 residents found work through the program.

Social enterprises
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 then help them into work or further training. In Fitzroy, enterprises include the Cleaning Service, Food Cooperative, Community Catering and electronic Atherton Community Enterprise (e-Ace).

Linking students with employment pathways
Schools are linking students with local agencies to help them explore work experience opportunities.

Progress for Yarra Youth
A Memorandum of Understanding with Yarra Youth is improving youth employment and training opportunities for young people.

Enhancing housing and the environment

Housing improvements
Neighbourhood Renewal has spent more than $30 million on over 180 housing upgrades on the Fitzroy estate. In 2006/07 a further $8 million will fund an additional 50 upgrades.

Improve the grounds
Neighbourhood Renewal is working with the City of Yarra to plan improvements to the playing surface of the Fitzroy soccer field.

Improve car parks
Restricted access gates and boom gates are being installed in car parks.

Improving personal safety and reducing crime

Drug and alcohol information sessions
Neighbourhood Renewal is helping to deliver information sessions on drug and alcohol issues to estate residents.

Promoting health and wellbeing

Recycling initiative
A community based recycling project to deal with household waste is being developed with the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Healthy food
A fresh fruit and vegetable market, developed through community consultation, is providing residents with improved access to low cost, healthy food.

Increasing access to services and improving government responsiveness

Police foot patrols
Neighbourhood Renewal is working with the Police to improve access to and engagement with Police services. A distribution model for information on how to contact the Police is under development.

On-site health promotion
On-site health promotion activities are helping residents address issues like gambling, alcohol and drugs (including smoking).