heathcote & districts community plan 2014 - 2017 · community games’ intergenerational event...

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Heathcote & Districts Community Plan 2014 - 2017


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Theme 1: Arts, Culture, History & Events Sherrie Coote

M: 0417 598 460

E: [email protected]

Theme 2: Built & Natural Environment Stephen Trompp

M: 0408 170 318


Theme 3: Education, Employment & Training Vicki Forde

M: 0431 328 421


Theme 4: Health & Wellbeing Dan Douglass

Ph: 5431 0900


Theme 5: Infrastructure & Economic Development Peter Maine

M: 0417 313 316


Contact Details


mailto:[email protected]





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Welcome to the Revised Community Plan

The Revised 2012 Community Plan was due to be updated and over the

past nine months, the Heathcote Partnership Group has been

undertaking a review the Plan in consultation with the community to

bring the document up to date. It is important that we acknowledge

the original Working Group who took on the task of gathering

information and publishing the 2012 Revised Community Plan.

It has now become our task to bring the Plan up to date and enhance

the directions contained in the original publication. There were many

achievements in the last Community Plan that provide a strong

foundation to build on for the Heathcote and District community.

The 2014 - 2017 Community Plan articulates the concepts and desires of

the people of our community gathered through extensive consultation,

personal exchange and public meetings. It acknowledges the need to

include new ideas and suggestions which will enhance the future

growth of Heathcote and its neighbouring communities.

The Heathcote Partnership Group is committed to keep the Plan fresh

and current. It also undertakes on a regular basis to inform the

community on the progress of the Plan. The first step has been the

decision to become an incorporated association. Community members

will all be welcome to join.

This document represents the ideas and aspirations of those who live,

play and work in Heathcote and its surrounds; in the place we call our

home. We respectfully offer it to our community and welcome your

comments and active participation in achieving the aims set out in it.


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At the time of the 2011 Census, there were 2,776 people in

Heathcote; with an even male and female proportion.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 1.2% of the

population.

Age Profile

The median age of people in Heathcote was 53 years

compared to the Victorian and Australian median ages of 37

years, indicating Heathcote has an older average age.

Heathcote

Greater Bendigo

Snapshot of Heathcote


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Median Weekly Income

People aged 15 years and over.

Heathcote Greater Bendigo Victoria

Personal $364 $513 $561

Family $802 $1,245 $1,460

Household $672 $991 $1,216

The median weekly income for individuals and households was

considerably lower than the Victorian average income. In

Heathcote, 43.7% of households had a weekly household income

of less than $600 compared to the State average with this income

which was 23.8%; 1.9% of households had a weekly income of

more than $3,000, compared to the State average with this

income which was 10.4%.

Despite the lower than average income, a higher than average

number of people paid less than one third of their household

income in rent or mortgage payments, perhaps reflecting the

lower than average property prices in Heathcote.

Family Composition

Heathcote (%) Greater Bendigo

(%)

Victoria

(%)

Couple family

without children

53.2 39.2 36.7

Couple family

with children

28.6 41.0 46.0

One parent

family

16.1 18.3 15.5

Other family 2.1 1.5 1.8


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The proportion of the population made up of families without

children was considerably higher than the State average and the

proportion of families with children was lower than the State

average, indicating the larger number of retired couples living in

Heathcote.

In Heathcote, a lower proportion of all households, 63.2% were

family households, compared to the State average of 71.2% and

33.5% were single person households compared to the State

average of 24.5%.

Dwellings

Heathcote

(%)

Greater

Bendigo (%)

Victoria

(%)

Occupied

Dwellings

81.4 90.7 88.7

Unoccupied

Dwellings

18.6 9.3 11.3

Of the total of private dwellings in Heathcote, 81.4% were

occupied. This rate of occupancy is lower compared to Greater

Bendigo and Victoria. The average number of bedrooms per

dwelling in Heathcote is 2.9 and the average number of people

per household is 2.1.


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In partnership with the community, it is our goal to continue to

develop and promote opportunities for participation in art,

cultural events and activities. It is our aim to value and support

ongoing historical preservation and raise awareness about

Heathcote’s heritage and historical sites to community members

and visitors.

- Support existing and emerging events by

developing a calendar of events in printed and

digital media

- Support Heathcote Tourism Development Inc. in

promoting Heathcote as a tourism destination

- Assess community interest in new events and

activities through low cost ‘pop-up’ trial events

- Explore new events such as a Produce to Plate

food and wine event

- Upgrade the RSL Hall kitchen, lighting and

facilities

- Develop walking paths, picnic tables and sign

boards in the Camp Hill precinct

Arts, Culture, History & Events

Proposed short-term objectives Timeframe

2015-2016

Please refer to page 12 & 13 to find our medium and long term objectives


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In partnership with the community it is our aim to improve the

Heathcote built and natural environment by ensuring it is more

accessible, attractive and functional for all community members,

groups and visitors.

- Partner with the City of Greater Bendigo to

understand and be better informed about

future development and maintenance of

community assets

- Establish a Natural Environments working

group with key stakeholders

- Explore the feasibility of a bike and walking

trail network linked to the O’Keefe Rail Trail by

establishing possible options, benefits and

timeline

- Construct a pedestrian footbridge over the

McIvor Creek in Chauncey Street

- Upgrade the public toilet facilities at Barrack

Reserve

- Create a High Street beautification proposal

to present to the community

Built & Natural Environment


2015-2016

Please refer to page 12 &13 to find our medium and long term objectives


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In partnership with the community, it is our goal to build better

awareness of and access to education and learning opportunities

for Heathcote and District community members.

- Undertake an educational facilities and

resource audit to identify opportunities and

unmet needs

- Facilitate the development of afterschool hours

supervised tutorial sessions for students, in an

accessible public space with IT & internet services

- Ensure healthy settings are created and

promoted for students and community members

to access training, education and employments

services

- Partner with Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre

to provide the training, resources and support for

all volunteers and organisations

- Provide and facilitate learning opportunities in

non-traditional areas through innovative

programs and projects e.g. productive and

sensory gardens

- Support the provision of social infrastructure to

meet Universal Access requirements for all

children

Education,Training & Employment


2015-2016

Please refer to page 12 &13 to find our medium and long term objectives


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In partnership with the community it is our goal to ensure that

Heathcote community members of all ages have opportunities to

be healthy, engaged and well informed.

- Plan and implement an annual ‘Heathcote

Community Games’ intergenerational event

- Foster youth engagement, leadership and

mentoring opportunities

- Ensure children and young people have equal

access to services and programs available

throughout the municipality that support diverse

health and wellbeing needs

- Source and promote mental health and wellbeing

training options for local health professionals and

community members

- Support the Heathcote Community Capacity

Builders pilot program and the broader goal of

promoting Heathcote as a caring community

- Support the retention of acute, sub-acute, aged,

primary care, community and urgent care services

at Heathcote Health

- Secure funding to construct a community hub,

hydrotherapy pool and gymnasium

- Establish a sustainable operating model for the

Heathcote Lions Club Independent Living Units

- Harness community support for the Small Rural

Health Services Model

Health & Wellbeing


2015-2016



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In partnership with the community it is our goal to ensure

Heathcote sustains economic growth by attracting businesses and

visitors into the area and provides a range of commercial and

recreational facilities.

- Advocate for projects which progress implementation

of the Barrack Reserve Masterplan, especially for

funding to support completion of the Barrack Reserve

Stadium and Community Facility and upgrade to the

electricity supply.

- Secure funding and support from the City of

Greater Bendigo to develop a structure plan

for the Heathcote area

- Advocate to improve public transport links

between Heathcote and surrounding areas

- Secure funding and support from the City of

Greater Bendigo for a facilities and

infrastructure audit to be undertaken and

used as the basis for future planning and

advocacy

- Identify immediate requirements to improve

the visual aspects of the commercial

precinct

- Continue to support the Swimming Pool

redevelopment projects

Infrastructure & Economic Development


2015-2016



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Medium-term objectives 3 – 5 years Long-term actions 5+ years

Arts, Culture,

History & Events

- Explore the potential of new

events associated with the

proposed Spur Trail

- Upgrade existing community

facilities to be better equipped

for events

- Support the continuation of

Heathcote’s heritage

preservation and recording

program

- Construct a storage

building on Camp Hill for

donated historical items

- Create a native garden

within the Camp Hill

precinct

Built & Natural

Environment

- Present a business plan for bike

and walking trail options to all

levels of Government for

potential funding

- Upgrade public toilets and

electricity supply at Barrack

Reserve

- Develop a McIvor Creek

community interest

group to clean-up and

develop a timeline for

the area

Education,

Training &

Employment

- Increase access and resources

to up to date facilities, services

and technology

- Provide opportunities and

resources for digital and

distance learning

- Partner and form clusters with

relevant organisations to deliver

Heathcote & surrounds ongoing

training and employment needs

- Increase the number of local

opportunities and workplaces

that provide ‘on the job’

training opportunities

- Develop programs and

resources to enhance social

inclusion, access and

integration opportunities for

those who have a disability, are

disengaged, vulnerable or

suffering from mental illness

- Facilitate the

development of a

comprehensive

Education, Training &

Employment Plan,

including;

Applicable data and

analysis outcomes

specific to Heathcote

and surrounds

Undertake

consultation with

community business,

industry and

government

Strategic direction

and planning for the

future

Communication

strategy

Medium and Long Term Objectives


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Medium-term objectives 3 -5 years Long-term objectives 5+ years

Health &

Wellbeing

- Increase intergenerational

opportunities through mentoring

and buddy programs

- Promote early intervention and

prevention strategies in local

workplaces, schools and

community

- Support funded mental health

agencies to develop and

implement models of care in the

Heathcote region

- Promote and support local

independent living and home-

based care options

- Support the development of

locally-based allied health and

primary care services

- Work with government bodies to

review opportunities to improve

residential aged care & primary

care services and infrastructure

- Establish a dementia village and

centre of excellence for

dementia care in Heathcote

- Work with relevant agencies to

ensure that local public spaces

are safe

- Work towards improved local

access to welfare services

- Support the development of e-

health and health literacy

options for Heathcote

residents and visitors

- Use technology and social

media to develop and

promote Heathcote as a

community that builds and

fosters health & wellbeing

Infrastructure &

Economic

Development

- Advocate for funding to support

the progressive implementation

of the Barrack Reserve

Masterplan

- Undertake research to better

understand zoning options and

issues for the Heathcote area

- Work closely with the Barrack

Reserve Development :

Community Reference Group

to identify and advocate for

key projects which contribute

to eventual implementation of

the Masterplan.

- Lobby to relevant authorities

for expansion of sewerage,

power and water services

throughout the Heathcote

region

- Lobby to relevant authorities

to shorten the natural gas

connection time frame

Medium and Long Term Objectives objooobjectivesobjectives


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Note: A range of specific suggestions were contributed by community members about how the

listed actions could be achieved. This information has been retained and will be referred to when

the action plan is reviewed after one year. The working document is available to any community

groups that need access to specific actions for funding applications.

This summary table illustrates the link between Heathcote & Districts Community Plan priorities and

actions in the current City of Greater Bendigo Council Plan. Making the link between local

priorities and those in Local and State Government adds strength to a funding application.

Theme

Action

CoGB Council Plan

2013-2017 Strategy

Arts, Culture, History & Events

Support Heathcote Tourism Development Inc. to

promote Heathcote as a tourism destination

3.4.2 & 3.42

Support existing and emerging events by developing

a calendar of events in printed and digital media

3.4.3

- Explore the potential of new events associated with

the proposed Spur Trail

3.1.3

Support the continuation of Heathcote’s heritage

preservation and recording program

3.3.2

Built & Natural Environment Present a business plan for bike and walking trail

options to all levels of Government for potential

funding

3.1.3

Develop a McIvor Creek community interest group to

clean-up and develop a timeline for the area

5.2.1

Education, Training &

Employment

Create a program plan with relevant organisations

once the educational needs audit information is

received

4.3.1

Ensure healthy environments are created for students

and community members that access training,

education and employment services

4.3.2 & 4.3.3

Support the provision of social infrastructure to meet

Universal Access requirements for all children

3.6.2 & 3.6.4

Health & Wellbeing

Plan and implement an annual ‘Heathcote Games’

intergenerational event

3.1.4

Support funded mental health agencies to develop

and implement models in the Heathcote region

3.5.4

Promote and support independent living options 3.5.5

Work with government bodies to review opportunities

to improve residential aged care & primary care

services and infrastructure

3.5.5 & 3.5.7

Establish an operating model for the Heathcote Lions

Club Independent Living Units

2.3.2

Infrastructure & Economic

Development

Secure funding and support from the City of Greater

Bendigo to develop a structure plan and undertake

a facilities audit for the Heathcote area

2.3.1 & 3.6.3

Identify immediate requirements to improve the

visual aspects of the commercial precinct

5.1.2

Undertake research to better understand zoning

options and issues for the Heathcote area

2.3.1

Appendix


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When reading the Community Plan, we would like you to consider:

1. Can you assist with achieving a particular Goal?

2. Do you feel that the Goal can be improved?

3. Do you feel that the Goal is at odds with the needs of Heathcote?

We will seriously consider you feedback. Return the feedback form to the Heathcote Community

House or Email: [email protected]

Contact details:

Name:

Email:

Postal

address:

Telephone:

Theme: I think I (or our community organisation/group) can assist with

some of these actions Yes No

Comment on the objectives:

Theme:

I think I (or our community organisation/group) can assist with

some of these actions Yes No

Comment on the objectives:

Feedback Form


heathcote & districts community plan 2014 - 2017 · community games’ intergenerational event...

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