Have a say on social needs

BENDIGO residents have been encouraged to share what they think are the most pressing social needs in the community via a survey available on the City’s Let’s Talk community engagement website.

Feedback can be delivered until Monday 21 October, and City of Greater Bendigo community partnerships manager, Andie West, said the survey is part of the unit’s efforts to support a community that is inclusive, connected and resilient.

“This means (we’re) responsible for understanding the needs and priorities of the community to deliver on Council’s commitments to community development, fairness and social equity, accessibility and participation, community safety, respect for others and sense of belonging,” she said.

The aim of the study is to support a more evidence-informed approach to resource investment.

“It’s important that services, policies, and programs meet the real needs of the community and work well,” Ms West said.

“Without proper planning, services can become fragmented and may only react to problems instead of focusing on preventing them from happening in the first place and basing decisions on evidence.

“The City is now undertaking a systematic approach to understand the community’s social needs as funds and other resources are becoming increasingly constrained to address them.

“Community feedback will help us understand where we could focus our efforts. We can’t increase our services, so doing more in one area, will mean doing less in another – and we want to get it right.”

Visit letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au.