By Matthew Sims
Members of the Emerald community are encouraged to have their say on what shape their new neighbourhood house would take after the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing’s (DFFH) decision not to renew Emerald Community House’s service agreement contract, which expired last month.
In a statement published on Friday 26 April, Cardinia Council announced it was working with DFFH to transition to a new neighbourhood house service in Emerald, with current arrangements allowing ECH Inc to operate from their current site until Tuesday 31 December
Cardinia Council has since received funding from DFFH to undertake community consultation to gauge an understanding of what the Emerald community wants from a new neighbourhood house.
Council’s community development facilitator would be available at the Hills Hub in Emerald during the community consultation period to support the process.
Cardinia Council acting general manager of liveable communities Michael Casey said all Emerald community members were welcome to contribute to the consultation.
“Your input is valuable and will help us develop a program that aligns with the community’s wants and expectations,“ he said.
“We encourage you to share your thoughts on the types of programs and activities you’d like to see delivered, and to help shape what your new service will look like.”
Mr Casey said the council would support the new provider to deliver the neighbourhood house program in Emerald.
“Once consultation has been undertaken, DFFH will call for expressions of interest from organisations to apply to be a part of the State Government’s Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP) to serve the Emerald community and surrounding areas,“ he said.
“Council supports neighbourhood houses funded by the State Government’s NHCP in line with our Neighbourhood House Policy.
“As a result of DFFH’s decision earlier this year not to renew its service agreement contract with Emerald Community House Incorporated (ECH Inc), ECH Inc is no longer eligible for funding under Council’s Neighbourhood House Policy.“
Established in 1977, ECH was one of the first houses in Victoria to be part of the broader Neighbourhood House movement involved in community development and is the oldest neighbourhood house in Cardinia, and one of the original centres which emerged in the Dandenongs in the 1970s led by women.
A DFFH spokesperson said a new provider for a neighbourhood house service in the Emerald area was expected to be operational by early next year.
According to the spokesperson, concerns were raised with the department about ECH Inc.
Mr Casey said Cardinia hosted seven other neighbourhood houses funded under the NHCP and managed by service providers or volunteer committees.
“Neighbourhood houses and community centres are wonderful community assets that bring people together and strengthen community connections,“ he said.
“They provide a range of services, information, and resources for their local communities, including everything from cultural, social, health and wellbeing activities, to training and public internet access.“
Community consultation will close on Friday 30 August.
For more information or to have your say on a new neighbourhood house service in Emerald, visit creating.cardinia.vic.gov.au/reimagining-emeralds-neighbourhood-house
