Increasing community pride and participation

Web training
Local residents are undergoing web training. They will soon develop a Resident Action Group web site highlighting achievements, upcoming events and general news items.

School holiday activity program
The Resident Action Group is organising excursions for local Neighbourhood Renewal residents during the school holidays. The excursions improve local neighbourhood connections and provide opportunities for families to get together in a casual environment.

Tool library
All Neighbourhood Renewal residents have access to a community tool library.

Homework group
The group has been set up for local school students to complete their homework in a supportive environment.

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 Seymour these schemes have helped five residents find jobs. In 2006/07 they will help a further three 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 Seymour, a total of 40 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. Seymour's 'Renovation for Renewal' is delivering general maintenance services in the local area.

Skill survey
Around 200 residents have been surveyed to establish current skills within the community.

Business retention and expansion program
A survey of local business and industry has identified skill gaps and opportunities for future employment of residents.

Enhancing housing and the environment

Improving housing
Neighbourhood Renewal has spent more than $4.6 million on more than 260 housing upgrades and immediate improvements. In 2006/07 an additional $1 million will fund works to a further 64 properties.

Parks project
Two local parks have been upgraded. The works have included: shelters; a new BBQ; great playground equipment; picnic tables; and park benches.

Garden Blitz project
The Garden Blitz project, in partnership with Berry Street Victoria, is improving local parks, gardens and Office of Housing properties. The project is linked to a horticulture course, to give participants a grounding in both the practice and theory of horticulture.

Seymour Employment Incubator
A feasibility and business plan has been developed for a community employment facility that will encourage and develop local community enterprises.

All-Abilities Park project
Neighbourhood Renewal has contributed $55,000 to build an all-abilities park for the local community. Mitchell Shire has matched this funding.

Improving personal safety and reducing crime

Neighbourhood Watch
The Seymour Neighbourhood Watch program has been established.

Speed humps
Speed humps have been installed in the Neighbourhood Renewal area to reduce vehicle speeds and improve residents' safety.

Promoting health and wellbeing

Get Active in Seymour Program (GASP)
The program is providing residents with low cost physical activities and is reducing health inequalities. Funding for the program was secured through the Department of Human Services Public Health SPAN project.

Drug and alcohol project
A drug and alcohol worker is available for one day each week, at the Contact Place – the Neighbourhood Renewal community hub. Local residents have access to information and referrals and a youth group has been formed.

Mental health project
The project is implementing community-identified projects to improve the general health and wellbeing of the Neighbourhood Renewal community.

Healthy eating and activity
Local residents are improving their health through a range of healthy activity and eating programs.

Increasing access to services and improving government responsiveness

Disability plan
The plan is being developed to increase access and equity for all Neighbourhood Renewal residents.

Housing Service Officer
The Officer is located at the Contact Place for a half-day each week, to increase access to housing services.

Social Housing Advocacy Support program
A Social Housing Advocacy Support Program worker is also located at the Contact Place for a half-day each week, to increase access to housing services.