An innovative project to drive future employment in the area is well underway with several community groups workshopping ideas to boost local jobs.
VicHealth kick-started the ‘community challenge’ this year with the view to get community-driven employment ideas out there – one of which will be funded to the tune of $20,000.
Three groups are now fine-tuning their ideas, which range from a sustainable food supply; alternative, sustainable energy production and support for emerging artists.
VicHealth executive lead of the policy development office Kellie Horton said the challenge was fundamentally about demonstrating “the power of community”.
“This is a relatively small project we hope is a catalyst for future work for the Latrobe Valley, noticing there is going to be significant investment (in the area),” Ms Horton said.
The project was created in response to the organisation’s involvement in the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry, where VicHealth heard residents wanted “a different way of doing things”.
“What we heard through the inquiry forums was particularly employment around the mine(s) felt like it was out of the control of the community,” Ms Horton said.
“(This challenge is looking at) how can community control their own destiny a bit more and create opportunities they can make sure are there for the long term?”
Local groups pitched their employment ideas to VicHealth when it first opened the challenge – four ideas were shortlisted, with three in the running for the financial investment.
The groups are now sharpening their ideas in fortnightly workshops and developing a business model to produce self-sustaining systems that will not rely on ongoing funding.
“It’s been incredibly exciting to see the ideas that are there in the community, it’s not surprising, but I’m really excited to see people’s energy and passion for the change they want to see in the community,” Ms Horton said.
“What we’ve found is community leadership; people have said, ‘we want to do things differently and we are going to give it a go ourselves’.
“With the support through the challenge, we are helping shape their ideas. They’re really just getting out there and giving it a go and are really to be commended.”
The three groups eligible for financial investment are getting $10,000 to support the development of their idea, with one to receive an extra $20,000 to help get them started.
Ms Horton said the ideas were not expected to be completely delivered with this funding, but at least they could be market ready with potential to attract other investors.
Soon enough Latrobe Valley residents will have a chance to vote on the idea they would like to see come to fruition.
To stay updated on what each group is up to visit
www.vichealth.vic.gov.au or search ‘VicHealth Community Challenge: Latrobe Valley’ on Facebook.
