Saint Vincent De Paul Society Bendigo regional council president
Tony Spurling said instead of blaming people from their poverty, we should listen and learn how to help them.
People living in poverty should be heard not blamed says a local community leader.
Saint Vincent De Paul Society Bendigo regional council president Tony Spurling said instead of blaming people from their poverty, we should listen and learn how to help them.
“If we are to reverse the trend towards greater division and discordance we, and the Government that represents us, need to make an important choice,” Mr Spurling said.
“We can either blame the people who live in poverty or we can engage in positive action to eliminate poverty. We can either treat social and economic hardship as in individual deficit or we can address the failing social structures and systems that are responsible for the social and economic disparities found across the Australian population.
Investing in a strong economy is not enough to prevent two Australias from emerging.
“Outmoded, ineffective and under-resourced policies and supports need to be replaced with a social support system that encourages economic participation without causing greater poverty.”
Mr Spurling said there was a divide in Australia, the rich and the poor.
“Whether measured in terms of real income, social exclusion or multiple deprivation factors, this gap between the two Australias is clearly visible and, arguably, increasing,” he said.
“We continue to see the denial of fundamental human rights such as the right to appropriate housing, employment and education: a place to live, a place to work a place to learn.
They also see the unconscionable persistence of health inequalities due to disadvantage.”
Mr Spurling said there was more to poverty than not having enough to eat.
“Every day, people living in poverty have to overcome a number of structural and personal barriers that make surviving difficult and thriving impossible,” he said.
“Sometimes, we despair at government and common attitudes, but this is nothing compared to the cruelty and humiliation meted out to the people who continue to be excluded.”
In the past decade, Australia’s population has grown another four million but our unemployment rate has decreased.
Despite Australia’s economic growth, Mr Spurling said poverty was still on the rise.
“According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 13 per cent of the population is living in relative poverty. This translates to almost three million Australians,” he said.
The organisation published a report, the Two Australians, a decade ago, with little change over the years. POVERTY ON THE RISE
BENDIGO’S residential Strategy will be reviewed because of greater than expected growth.
The State Government has announced a grant of $50,000 to carry out the review.
The review is needed because, according to the State Government, 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Damian Drum made the announcement this morning.
Mr Drum said the Bendigo Residential Strategy Review would deliver greater community and investor certainty, helping the region grow.
“The Bendigo Residential Development Strategy was adopted in 2004 and is currently being audited because of the faster than anticipated growth that has occurred in Bendigo in recent years,” he said.
“Strong residential growth has many flow-on economic benefits and having a clear framework for future development will position Greater Bendigo City Council to undertake more detailed, place-based planning in the future.”
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said about 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
The Residential Strategy impacts directly on where and how property developments use “infill” parcels of land, range of housing styles and also on housing affordability.
“This project will review the strategy, assess current and estimated land supply and demand and consider various legislative and policy changes,” Mr Ryan said,
“It will also consider the latest demographic data and establish a new strategic framework to guide the long-term residential growth of Greater Bendigo.
“The project will result in a revised residential strategy that will give developers, the community and service providers greater surety and confidence about where land can be developed for residential purposes, and that sufficient land is available to accommodate the City of Greater Bendigo’s future growth.”
Mr Ryan said a contemporary strategic planning framework was essential to the economic development of a large regional centre like Bendigo.
“Clearly identifying future growth options and supporting infrastructure needs will enable the Greater Bendigo City Council and other infrastructure providers to plan their capital works programs well in advance,” he said.
“Identifying long-term growth areas will enable the council and other service authorities to start planning for the delivery of services, thereby minimising the lag time between when residential development occurs and when the services need to be in place.”
By Christine McGinn
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