Communities could hold the key to breaking the “web of disadvantage” in Brewarrina, Lightning Ridge and Walgett, according to a new report.
The Dropping Off The Edge (DOTE) 2015 report collected data from 621 postcodes across NSW in order to identify the most disadvantaged towns across the state.
The research by Catholic Social Services and Jesuit Social Services Australia updates a report from 2007 and showcases nothing has changed with Brewarrina, Claymore, Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Wilcannia and Windale all still listed among the top five per cent of disadvantaged towns.
Jesuit Social Services media manager Kathryn Kernohan said the DOTE report used 21 indicators to pinpoint disadvantage within communities.
“The indicators look at the area and what caused stress to residents, like domestic violence or low family income, and simultaneously showed a web of disadvantage and complex issues,” Mrs Kernohan said.
She said 24 of the 40 postcodes identified in the 2007 report had not shown any signs of improvement.
“This is very disappointing to see – we need to be careful of consensus of a one size fits all approach.”
Mrs Kernohan said of the 37 most disadvantaged areas in NSW, there were more than five common disadvantage indicators, ranging from run-ins with the law, lack of internet access, domestic violence, youth disengagement and low education levels.
“We don’t want to pigeon-hole these communities, it’s very different for residents in these communities with structural barriers facing them,” Mrs Kernohan said.
“Certainly, the web of disadvantage is stark and confronting and there are multiple forms of disadvantage which link together, like violence and criminal activity.”
Mrs Kernohan said towns needed a tailored approach to overcome such burdens.
Co-author of the DOTE report Professor Tony Vinson said the study had been conducted the past 15 years and the postcodes identified as disadvantaged offered similar characteristics.
“Central accompanying features were breaking the law and low family income,” Professor Vinson said.
“The two sponsors for the report found implications of accumulation of disadvantage early on in life – the same applies to other variables looked at.
“The most important implication is getting off to a good start in school, but nothing prepared me for how far behind some kids were at the age of four who couldn't hold a pencil.”
He said when a community was disadvantaged, people living in these communities were often frustrated and gave up conventional ways of living, turning their attention to drug dependence to cope.
“Research literature and sponsors have shown it is important to operate effectively at a community level, to work collaboratively with direction from them and begin
to develop confidence within the community and its people,” he said.
“The reports strongly recommend support to the places
identified.”
Centacare south west NSW chief executive Paul Jensen said although the studies carried out in 2007 and 2015 were a factorial analysis, the postcodes highlighted tended to indicate they were unfairly disadvantaged.
“We don’t want regional and rural NSW to be marginalised, the take home message is urban centres have more integrated services than regional NSW,” Mr Jensen said.
“We need to look at the service provision for these communities, as the funding for those places has dropped.”
Mr Jensen said for rural and regional areas of the state to escape the pockets of social disadvantage, there needed to be consultation with the affected communities to find what would work for them.
“Structurally they (the findings) are incontestable, there are more services in the city rather than the bush and models employed in the city don’t necessarily work in the bush,” he said.
“It’s pretty simple, they need to be targeted longer term, it’s not a new message, it’s just a message that needs to be reinforced to target those communities at risk, not because they’re dysfunctional, but because they’re shouldering the burden.”
The Minister for Regional Development and Small Business John Barilaro said Reskilling NSW was providing $48 million for 200,000 fee-free scholarships across four years.
He said concession-eligible candidates from 15 to 30 years old could undertake this government subsidised vocational training.
“The government’s priority is to support these young people to get skills that will help them secure a job and build a strong future, both for their families and the state,” he said.
