The Victorian Interface Councils group recently secured a $25 million funding commitment over four years from the Victorian Government to improve children’s services in outer Melbourne. The advocacy campaign has also enhanced the Interface Councils’ partnership with the State Government in working towards better service provision.
The Interface Councils group comprises nine outer Melbourne Councils, including the Cities of Whittlesea, Hume, Melton, Wyndham, Casey and Cardinia, and the Shires of Nillumbik, Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Ranges. These communities do not have enough locally available human services for children, families and young people. In convincing the State Government of the need for better services, the group required hard data to define and articulate the issues.
Whittlesea Councillor and Municipal Association of Victoria’s Interface Councils representative, Sam Alessi, said RMIT University was enlisted to research the human services needs in outer Melbourne.
“The research needed to be done as a group, not just to make it more cost effective, but to truly have an impact,” he said. “It’s about the power of numbers.”
Released in 2003, the findings were presented to local members of State Parliament and to the Outer Urban Parliamentary Committee.
“While the research certainly had an impact, we realised we had to do more,” Councillor Alessi said. “We had to paint a very clear picture of what the problems were and exactly what needed to be done to resolve them.”
In late 2004, the Interface Councils made a detailed funding submission to the Victorian Government, outlining a package of human services programs and infrastructure requirements. A media campaign during 2005-2006 was covered by metropolitan press and radio, and supported by newspapers across the Council areas. In the 2006-2007 State Budget, $25 million was allocated for improved children’s services over four years in the Interface municipalities.
“We are very pleased with the result and see this as a great first step towards improving human services in the outer suburbs and interface rural areas,” Councillor Alessi said. “The State Government’s responsiveness and willingness to work towards true partnership has been tremendous. It’s proven to the Interface Councils group that a combined and strategic approach to advocacy can have positive returns for governments and the community.”
The group is now working with the Victorian Government on how the funding package is to be rolled out. It hopes to also meet family support and youth service needs in the Interface Council areas.
For further information contact Ruth Spielman, Whittlesea’s Director Community Services, on (03) 9217 2315.
