Increasing community pride and participation

Heathdale Chatter newsletter
Produced solely by local residents, the Newsletter won a "Best Layout Award" in 2005 at the inaugural Community Newspapers Awards.

Heathdale BBQ Festival
Residents have developed the Heathdale BBQ Festival into a key community festival in Wyndham. The festival aims to celebrate multiculturalism and positively promote the Heathdale community. It now attracts celebrity chefs including Iain Hewitson in 2005 and for 2006 Gabriel Gate.

The Women's leadership camp
The Women's Leadership Camp was held for 12 local female residents to enhance leadership skills and to take part in some confidence building exercises.

Computer hub
Computer training and free internet access is available from Heathdale's central NR site. Computer training has been developed in partnership with The Smith Family, Infoxchange and the local Council.

Improving employment, learning and local economic activity

Parent Connect project
The project, which will begin in February 2007, aims to connect parents with their child's local school. Eligible parents of children from the Glen Orden Primary School will have the opportunity to participate in computer training and will, upon completion, receive a Green PC computer to take home.

Parents Returning to Work
The Parents Returning to Work project is supporting individual residents to access and use government grants to undertake training across a variety of employment areas. These include aged care, child-care, pathology collection and youth studies.

Enterprise management
Enterprise management – Victoria University has developed a Certificate in Small Business tailored to the local community. Ten local residents have indicated their interest in participating.

Enhancing housing and the environment

Upgrading and improving housing
To date, over 230 housing upgrades and immediate improvements have taken place. In 2006/07 a further 42 Housing upgrades and 51 immediate improvements are planned. These works are creating local jobs through local enterprise.

Wetlands redevelopment
Residents have been actively involved in the planning of the Heathdale Glen Orden Wetlands redevelopment.

Bi-annual clean-up days
Residents coordinate and implement two successful Wetlands clean-up days each year. Around 80 residents took part in each clean-up.

Feasibility study for the Service Hub
The feasibility study for the Service Hub has resulted in financial and staffing commitments from Council.

Improving personal safety and reducing crime

Traffic management
Installations to reduce speeding and a slow down "Heathdale's My Town" campaign have been implemented.

Community street BBQ's
In 2006, four informal community street BBQs were held in Heathdale. Local residents had the opportunity to meet with the Police, councillors and council staff to discuss local issues.

Community audit
Local residents have conducted a community audit of streets and public places.

Promoting health and wellbeing

Support for women
A women's support group, established by local residents, is receiving facilitation support through a local community health service.

Speech group
The Hungary Caterpillars group has been established at the local primary school. Children and their carers are learning techniques to develop speech in the early years.

Physical fitness
Eight local residents have been trained as walking group leaders.

Increasing access to services and improving government responsiveness

Steering committee
Key stakeholders and local residents have been meeting regularly at the Neighbourhood Renewal Steering Committee. The Committee monitors the progress of Neighbourhood Renewal strategy implementation.

Wyndham Family Violence project
The Police and other key stakeholders are working together on this innovative project, which is designed to address the issues of family violence in Wyndham.