Indicators of community strength in Victoria

1. Indicators of community strength in Victoria Jeanette Pope Strategic Policy and Research

2. Community strength Strong, healthy communities have: economic/natural/human/social capital assets knowledge within the community that allows for the sustainable use of assets the ability to collectively organise in order to work through issues, determine priorities and make best use of resources local institutions providing governance structures through which collective action can be organised

3. Monitoring community strength Department for Victorian Communities indicators of community strength at the local government area level project Local projects VicHealth Community Wellbeing Indicators Project

4. Indicators of community strength at the local government area level project Project focuses on only part of the definition of community strength: economic/natural/human/social capital assets knowledge within the community that allows for the sustainable use of assets the ability to collectively organise in order to work through issues, determine priorities and make best use of resources local institutions providing governance structures through which collective action can be organised

6. Time trends

7. Community prevention planning

8. LGA level information: volunteering

9. LGA level information: multiculturalism

10.  Introductory report available now LGA level report available by end of year www.dvc.vic.gov.au

11. Local projects Indicator sets, in which some of the DVC indicators are embedded, that have a focus on the whole definition of community strength:

12. Local projects Whitehorse Community Health Centre Adapted VPHS to create local area data on cardiovascular risk factors and community strength Created partnership of local stakeholders to work on joint interventions Many local government indicator projects such as those created in: City of Geelong - G21 alliance City of Port Phillip - Sustainable Community Progress Indicators City of Moreland - Profiling Moreland�.

13. The Outer Eastern Regional Sustainability Indicators Project Swinburne University of Technology - Centre for Regional Development City of Knox City of Maroondah Shire of Yarra Ranges

14. Project aims To create a set of �Quality of life/community health� indicators: to measure the community�s progress towards a sustainable, healthy community to report back to stakeholders on the issues they have identified as important, thereby engaging communities

15. Framework � council visions An active, healthy community: a strong vibrant community whose members are healthy, have a sense of well-being, who are connected to others and have access to a range of services A culturally rich community: an inclusive community that celebrates cultural diversity and allows for all people to participate in rich community life A learning community: a community committed to lifelong learning An accessible community: a community which has effective efficient access and safety A community that protects and enhances the environment: a community which values environmental sustainability A well designed and well built community: an effectively planned community which has a mix of recreational, residential, industrial and natural environments A prosperous community: a healthy economy

16. Creating indicators

17. Creating indicators

18. Creating indicators

19. Reporting back to the community A website and report available soon that outline: Indicator definition Data sources Progress and targets What can be done References (websites etc)

20.  VicHealth Community Wellbeing Indicators Project

21. Purpose To consolidate existing activity in the development and use of community wellbeing indicators To support the capacity of local governments and their communities to plan, advocate, set priorities for and monitor health and wellbeing at the local level

22. Anticipated outcomes A common framework for indicators A common core set and a process for identifying locality specific indicators Participation by local governments Increased capacity at the local level to select and use indicators for planning, priority setting, advocacy and citizen engagement Infrastructure at state and local level to maintain a program of community wellbeing indicators The capacity to routinely report on core measures of well-being at local government level

23. Partners To be lead by Victorian local governments and local government organisations, with support from key state and national bodies Developmental phases to be funded by VicHealth with additional support from the Department of Human Services (Public Health) Anticipated that long term operation of the program will be supported through funding and in-kind support from a range of partners, including the VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Social Wellbeing

24. Current developments Tenders for the project currently being considered by VicHealth Board Stakeholders to be advised of successful tenderer early November 2004 Wide involvement encouraged Contact Kim Webster kwebster@vichealth.vic.gov.au or 9667 1344 for further information