Increasing community pride and participation

Big Day Out school holiday bus trips
These low cost social outings are a way for residents to meet Neighbourhood Renewal community development workers and partner agencies and to relax and socialise with neighbours. Trips to date include: Tarra Bulga National Park, Gippsland Heritage Park in Moe, Lake Guthridge in Sale and Wallaby Rise on the Glenmaggie Weir and more are planned for each of the school holidays!

After school activity program
The program operates in Glendonald Park every Monday afternoon during the school year. It is run by the Glendonald Residents Group Inc and involves parent volunteers and students from Monash University Churchill, who help to supervise the activities. A local business provides kids with fresh fruit every week.

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. 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 Latrobe these schemes have helped 29 residents find jobs. In 2006/07 they will help a further five 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 Latrobe, a total of 155 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 help them onto further employment and learning pathways. In Latrobe two enterprises are currently operating: Don Rods is a fishing rod manufacturing venture run by students at Kurnai college in Churchill; and Try Wood is manufacturing outdoor furniture.

Our Future Our Place
Unemployed local people are working towards a Certificate II and III in building, by contributing to the construction of a six-star energy efficient house. The house sits on vacant land that is owned by the Office of Housing. So far, 12 out of 22 participants have found work and the majority have either completed Certificate II or have achieved some competencies towards the Certificate.

Enhancing housing and the environment

Housing works
Neighbourhood Renewal has spent $15.8 million on more than 850 upgrades and immediate improvements. In 2006/07 a further $1 million has been allocated to fund works to an additional 77 properties.

Morwell Neighbourhood House
This new, purpose-built neighbourhood house was designed by a project steering committee that included residents, the Neighbourhood House Committee and a range of local and State government agencies. The Minister for Housing officially opened the House in June 2005.

MERA Park
The MERA (Morwell East Residents Achievement) Park is now complete. What used to be a large area of vacant land is now an outstanding playground and recreational facility, designed with local residents. The park hosts a range of community events and provides a unifying focus for the local community.

Waterhole Creek redevelopment
Neighbourhood Renewal worked with the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority on the cleanup and upgrade of the creek. Exotic plant species and rubbish was removed from the creek, banks were redeveloped and indigenous plants were planted. Local residents now carry out water quality testing as part of the Waterwatch program.

Priestley Park
Neighbourhood Renewal has helped redevelop Priestley Park in Traralgon. The Park now includes a barbeque shelter and a playground area for both younger and older children. Neighbourhood Renewal is working with young local residents to plan an art project.

Community garden
Residents have also been coordinating and implementing two successful Wetlands Clean-up days per year – around 80 residents have attended each clean-up.

Feasibility Study for Service Hub
The Glendonald Resident Group, the Glendonald Park Advisory Committee, local Koori residents, Latrobe City Council and Neighbourhood Renewal are working together to secure funding for an Indigenous Community Garden in Glendonald Park. The garden will feature an indigenous design, complementary artwork, edible plants, sensory plants and walkways.

Improving personal safety and reducing crime

Confidence in the streets
The Mounted Police Branch has visited the Latrobe Valley Neighbourhood Renewal areas on four tours over the past few years. The Mounted Police have conducted high profile patrols and have dropped into sporting events, schools and community events. The tours have improved relations between the Police and the local community.

Cop Shop
In each of the Latrobe Valley's four Neighbourhood Renewal areas, local police have set up a temporary police station once a month to provide basic police services. The "Cop Shops" give residents the opportunity to contact the Police in a less formal setting.

Police breakfast
Police in Latrobe Valley regularly hold breakfasts for students and their families at the local police stations. The breakfasts build positive relationships, celebrate students' achievements and introduce Neighbourhood Renewal to new resident members.

Promoting health and wellbeing

Breakfast programs
Breakfast programs have been operating at primary schools in Latrobe Valley for over three years. Neighbourhood Renewal is contributing to these successful initiatives, which help young people eat well and have a good start to their school day.

Increasing access to services and improving government responsiveness

Neighbourhood Alliance program
Neighbourhood Renewal has formed the Neighbourhood Alliance with Latrobe City Council. Councillors and Council Officers are meeting with Neighbourhood Renewal residents to seek their advice on local issues. Residents' feedback is being incorporated into Council's strategic planning.

Links with local schools
Neighbourhood Renewal has developed a strong relationship with local schools. They are working together on community wellbeing, safety and education programs.