The $33 million Barwon Health North opened at the start of the year! A long-term priority under the Addressing Disadvantage project, the hospital is a valuable community asset for Geelong’s northern suburbs.
Also an Addressing Disadvantage priority, the Bannockburn Youth Hub welcomed $370,000 in state and federal funding.
With rapid growth, Bannockburn’s youth population is forecast to increase more than 55 per cent to 821 between now and 2036. This hub will help build a strong, resilient youth culture that is connected to the broader community.
Life changing news from those in our region suffering housing insecurity, with the state government planning to spend at least $215 million on social housing across the G21 region.
The Health & Wellbeing Pillar had already began work on a Social and Affordable Housing Strategy when this funding was announced. The timing for this project is ideal as it will help identify where the need is across each of the G21 municipalities.
The Pillar, along with a group of health services released a toolkit promoting clearer and more effective communication on preventing violence against women. The toolkit encourages us all to play a part in working toward gender equality, whether it’s in our home, the workplace, sporting clubs, classrooms or the boardroom.
Work has commenced on the Growing Up in G21 report. Initially produced 10 years ago, this updated version will look at the challenges, needs, experiences and diverse backgrounds of regional children and their families.
The G21 Primary Care Partnership (PCP) is safe for now after the state government announced that program funding will be extended until mid-2021.
A review of the PCP model by the Department of Health and Human Services is ongoing, however KPMG’s review of PCP’s used G21 as a case study of best practice, which is promising.
From G21’s Report to the Region 2020