Seymour

Housing Profile
Number of residents 2,262
Number of private properties 475
Number of public housing 268
Percentage of public housing 36.1%

Setting the scene

The Neighbourhood Renewal project at Seymour began in 2002 and will continue until 2009.



Neighbourhood Renewal is promoting health and wellbeing

In 2004 Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal partnered with Mitchell Community Health Services, Seymour Police and the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE to provide male mentoring for young boys in a billy cart building project. It is expected that in the future a Billy Cart Derby will become a community event.

In 2004 Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal partnered with Mitchell Community Health Services, Seymour Police and the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE to provide male mentoring for young boys in a billy cart building project. It is expected that in the future a Billy Cart Derby will become a community event.

In 2004 Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal partnered with Mitchell Community Health Services, Seymour Police and the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE to provide male mentoring for young boys in a billy cart building project. It is expected that in the future a Billy Cart Derby will become a community event.'Community Link' is a newsletter produced by residents for residents in Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal. Published every month since February 2003, it reports on people and activities in Neighbourhood Renewal and includes upcoming events, meetings and opportunities as well as a fun page. It provides a continuous connection between the local community and the Neighbourhood Renewal initiative.To improve health and wellbeing among its residents, Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal set out to get people more active by creating a dog walking group that now meets regularly for walks throughout the renewal area. This has enabled assessment of local paths and parks for safety and convenience and potential improvement. It is also increasing pride and participation because of improvements already completed or under way.One of the activities of Neighbourhood Renewal in Seymour has been a Housing Week Colouring and Art Competition and Exhibition. Alice Solomon, a member of the local Jaambie Aboriginal Coop and the Residents' Action Group, expressed the Housing Week theme of Seymour residents have seen The Contact Place progress from a boarded-up house ready for demolition to a popular and attractive community facility. A community garden is being developed there which will provide produce in due season. It also houses the Neighbourhood Renewal Tool Library from which residents can borrow tools to work on their own homes. And fencing works in the area have given tenants a chance to take ownership of their front yards.The Contact Place is the community facility and headquarters for Neighbourhood Renewal in Seymour. It provides a safe and friendly space for residents to gain access to services and information, a handy meeting room, and the opportunity to host community participation activities. It also houses the Tool Library and Community Garden.In 2003 Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal's community facility, The Contact Place, became the venue for the Tjapukai Homework Centre of the local koori community group, the Jaambie Aboriginal Coop. This activity proved popular for the wider community and The Contact Place is now used twice a week by children from the two neighbouring schools for their own homework club.Residents of Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal have been able to lower their energy consumption through a Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria program. Residents were trained and employed by means of a Community Jobs Program funding grant. They conducted home energy use assessments and installed energy efficient devices for participating Neighbourhood Renewal households.Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal is providing free workshops for residents in areas such as life skills, health, personal growth and craft. These gatherings conducted by professional facilitators also provide opportunities for social interaction and connection.Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal residents said speeding vehicles in local streets was their biggest community safety concern. In response, Neighbourhood Renewal partnered with Mitchell Shire Council to have speed humps installed. And in October 2004 Neighbourhood Renewal and the local police launched the first Neighbourhood Watch site in Seymour.

Progress against the six objectives

The six key objectives of Neighbourhood Renewal are:

  • increased pride and participation
  • improved employment, learning and local economic activity
  • enhanced housing and environment
  • reduced crime and greater safety
  • better health and wellbeing
  • increased access to services and improved government responsiveness

Read more about local action plans and activities addressing the six key Neighbourhood Renewal objectives.

Contact Details

For further information regarding Neighbourhood Renewal at Seymour, please contact:

Simon Hill
Neighbourhood Renewal Manager
p. 03 5722-0575
e. Simon.Hill@dhs.vic.gov.au