Increasing community pride and participation

Community Events
Community events increase positive social interaction and connectedness across a range of groups in Delacombe.

Youth Activities
Youth programs have been conducted since the beginning of Neighbourhood Renewal with many young people participating. Outcomes have been: recreation and leadership development; enhancement of social networks; increased skills for facilitators; increased positive perception of youth by the broader community; and ongoing youth leadership and participation.  

Youth Worker
A local Delacombe resident has been employed through Enterprising Communities to coordinate activities for young people.

Community Governance Leadership Training SW12 (Young Leaders Group)
This is a group of residents and young people involved in Neighbourhood Renewal governance and training. Approximately 25 young residents are engaged in leadership roles in Delacombe. Outcomes for Delacombe residents and young people have been: accessing employment within renewal; being able to lead projects; completing training programs (eg Certificate IV); the establishment of resident representative committees; and the establishment of a local youth leadership group – SW12.

Delacombe Tenants Association
The Delacombe Tenants Association plays a lead role in identifying issues and priority projects for Delacombe, and have negotiated local service responses with government agencies.

Community Survey 2007 and 2009
Local residents were surveyed on community issues and priorities in 2007 and 2009 in Delacombe. Sixteen residents have been trained and engaged to conduct the surveys. Eight of those residents have subsequently been employed by Delacombe Neighbourhood Renewal or Enterprising Communities. A number of other residents have completed training (eg Certificate IV) or taken on resident leadership roles.

Employment and Learning

Enterprising Communities Incorporated (EnterComm)
Local residents and stakeholders participate on the Enterprising Communities Board. Painting and landscape construction crews have been established to carry out work around Delacombe. Local residents are either employed as apprentices or leading hands. Other residents have also been employed with Enterprising Communities through Healthy Active Delacombe funding. Enterprising Communities has invested surplus funds back into community activities. Plans for expansion and increased resident employment are being developed.

Employment Support Initiative (ESI)
This ESI project targets pre employment training and provision of Certificate III in Childcare for residents of Delacombe and Wendouree West. Over 20 Neighbourhood Renewal residents have completed this qualification, with a number gaining employment, and others undertaking additional training.

RedComm
RedComm is a computer recycling project for Delacombe students to access personal computers for home use. Three Volunteers coordinate the program and provide additional training and support. Victoria Police provided funding to upgrade a space for computers to be stored and worked on by residents. The computers are sourced from the Department of Human Services and the University of Ballarat. Home internet packages have also been negotiated with Telstra.

Transitions Program
Delacombe Neighbourhood Renewal and VERB are working with Sebastopol College and local primary schools to identify and support vulnerable children transitioning between schools. This is done through the implementation of peer mentoring programs.

Enhancing housing and the environment

Delacombe Urban Design Assessment
The assessment considered major urban design issues for the Neighbourhood Renewal area including road linkages, walkability and the development of key community sites. Residents and stakeholders have formed the Urban Design Project Control Group to progress elements identified in the assessment. Extensive community consultation has been carried out as part of the Options and Feasibility Study.

School Kitchen and Garden
The construction of a produce garden and the refurbishment of the community kitchen, has advanced healthy eating across local schools and the community. A program for growing and cooking produce has been implemented in the local school curriculum. A chook shed has also been built next to the graden.

Front Yard Blitz
Front yard improvements have been made to Office of Housing properties.

Housing Hot Spot Project
The Office of Housing is funding a Hot Spot project for Delacombe with the development of a local allocations policy, employment of a part time housing support worker and a resident induction program.

Community Infrastructure
The ‘Deladome’ is a Neighbourhood Renewal Hub development using a demountable accommodation unit recycled from the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, which form the basis of the hub building. This development will improve amenity, access and community safety in the Doug Dean Reserve and across the wider neighbourhood. It will also facilitate more affordable sustainable housing within Delacombe.

Improving personal safety and reducing crime

Safety – It’s Child’s Play!
This child safety and accident prevention project targets parents and carers of children aged 0-5 years living in Delacombe. It provides direct social support, free childcare, increased awareness of safety in the home and distributes safety items to parents and carers. Through this project residents have also developed skills in facilitation and writing and submitting funding applications.

Victoria Police
Members of the Victoria Police attend the Delacombe Tenants Association meetings on a regular basis to discuss local priorities and opportunities for responsive policing. This is a great way for information on police reporting to be distributed to the community.

Promoting health and wellbeing

Sebastopol College Gym
Thanks to Council, Sebastopol College Gym has been upgraded and opened up for community use. The gym has been improved, the equipment upgraded and an activity program implemented.

Fruit and Veggie Packs
Parents are able to order a weekly fruit and vegetable pack that is delivered to local Delacombe primary schools. Healthy recipes are also distributed with the packs. Approximately 30 boxes are ordered each week.

Dental Health Program
Toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental health information has been distributed at local Delacombe primary schools.

Healthy Eating Canteen
Healthy eating menus have been introduced at Delacombe Primary School’s canteen and unhealthy foods
have been removed. These are fantastic healthy eating messages for the students.

New Bus Route
An 18 month trial of a new bus route to transport Delacombe residents directly to shops and services in nearby Sebastopol has begun.

Increasing access to services and improving government responsiveness

Doug Dean Recreation Reserve Management
The City of Ballarat has transferred management responsibilities for Doug Dean Recreation Reserve to Enterprising Communities. They will oversee improvements to facilities (eg painting), and their involvement will mean increased usage of the reserve. Residents and community groups also make up membership of the Reserve’s Advisory Board.

After School and Vacation Care
The YMCA provides after school and vacation care from the Doug Dean Sports Stadium. Approximately 10 children a night attend after school care and 30 students attend the school holiday program.