MINUTES
COMMUNITY ACCESS AND
STRATEGIC POLICY MEETING
Tuesday 14 September, 2010
at 7.02pm
Venue:
Maribyrnong City Council, Cnr Hyde and Napier Sts,
Footscray.
Chairperson:
Councillor Martin Zakharov
Membership:
Mayor, Councillor Sel Sanli
Councillor Sarah Carter
Councillor Michael Clarke
Councillor Catherine Cumming
Councillor John Cumming
Councillor Dina Lynch
Councillor Martin Zakharov
Community Access and Strategic Policy Minutes
14 September 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM
SUBJECT
PAGE NO
1
WELCOME .................................................................................................. 1
2
PRESENT .................................................................................................... 1
3
APOLOGIES ................................................................................................ 1
4
LEAVE OF ABSENCE ................................................................................. 1
5
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ........................................................................ 1
6
BUSINESS ................................................................................................... 2
6.1
PRESENTATIONS ................................................................................................................ 2
6.1.1
PRESENTATION WESTGATE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES GROUP .................................. 2
6.1.2
PRESENTATION AND UPDATE ON YOUTH TRAINEESHIPS AND WESTERN
CHANCES PROGRAM – SEPTEMBER 2010 ...................................................................... 3
6.2
REPORTS .............................................................................................................................. 8
6.2.1
THE MARIBYRNONG STORY: A RESOURCE FOR PLANNING, PARTNERSHIP
AND ADVOCACY .................................................................................................................. 8
6.2.2
UPDATE ON THE MARIBYRNONG FRUIT AND VEG FOR ALL PROJECT SEPTEMBER 2010 .............................................................................................................. 14
7
MEETING CLOSURE ................................................................................ 22
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1
14 September 2010
WELCOME
We acknowledge that we are on traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people. We
offer our respect to the Elders of these traditional lands, and through them to all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples past and present.
2
PRESENT
Members Present
Mayor, Cr Sel Sanli
Cr Sarah Carter
Cr Michael Clarke
Cr Catherine Cumming
Cr John Cumming
Cr Dina Lynch
Cr Martin Zakharov
In Attendance:
Mr Vince Haining
Ms Jenny McMahon
Ms Helen Morrissey
Mr John Luppino
Mr Andrew Day
Ms Cath Grgic
Mr Michael Byrne
Ms Lynley Dumble
Ms Georgie Hill
Ms Pamela Morgan
3
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Acting General Manager Infrastructure Services
General Manager Corporate Services
General Manager Sustainable Development
Acting General Manager Community Wellbeing
Governance Officer
Manager Community Learnings and Libraries
Manager Family Services and Community Services
Coordinator Community Planning and Advocacy
Project Coordinator Fruit and Veg for All
APOLOGIES
Nil.
4
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Nil.
5
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Cr Sarah Carter wished to declare that she works for the Westgate
Community Initiatives Group (WCIG), who are listed to make a presentation
in item 6.1.1 – Presentation Westgate Community Initiatives Group.
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Community Access and Strategic Policy Minutes
6
BUSINESS
6.1
PRESENTATIONS
14 September 2010
6.1.1 PRESENTATION WESTGATE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES GROUP
File No:
CDV-01-006
Responsible Officer:
Mr Andrew Day
Acting General Manager Community
Wellbeing
Author:
Michael Byrne
Manager Community Learnings and
Libraries
PURPOSE
Mr Ron Miers, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr Angelo Messina, Training and
Business Development Manager, of the Westgate Community Initiatives Group
(WCIG), will make a presentation on the current activities of WCIG, and potential
further opportunities for the group in the City of Maribyrnong.
OFFICER RECOMMENDATION/COUNCIL RESOLUTION:
That Mr Ron Miers and Mr Angelo Messina from the Westgate Community
Initiatives Group be thanked for the presentation on the activities of the
WCIG, and potential future opportunities for the group in the City of
Maribyrnong.
Moved by:
Seconded by:
Cr Sanli
Cr Lynch
CARRIED.
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14 September 2010
6.1.2 PRESENTATION AND UPDATE ON YOUTH TRAINEESHIPS AND
WESTERN CHANCES PROGRAM – SEPTEMBER 2010
File No:
YSV-07-014
Responsible Officer:
Mr Andrew Day
Acting General Manager Community
Wellbeing
Author:
Lynley Dumble
Manager Family and Children Services
PURPOSE
The purpose of the report is to provide an update on the initiatives Council is
undertaking to support young people in training, employment and skills pathway.
Rhyll Dorrington, CEO, Western Chances, will attend the CASP meeting to make
a presentation about the Western Chances scholarship program.
BACKGROUND
Youth traineeships
A youth traineeship is a full-time or part-time employment based training
arrangement. Youth traineeships are available in a wide range of disciplines,
including community services and health, aged care, child care, business
administration, local government, horticulture, arts, media and entertainment,
information and communications technology.
During the course of a youth traineeship, a trainee gains work experience, has the
opportunity to learn new skills in a hands-on environment, and undertakes an
accredited competency based program. On successful completion, the trainee
earns a nationally recognised qualification.
Youth traineeships are usually one to two years in duration, and are offered in a
wide range of industries not previously serviced by apprenticeships. Youth
traineeships are generally offered at Certificate I, II, III, IV and can be articulated
into a Diploma or Advanced Diploma at a later date.
Western Chances
Western Chances is an organisation - founded by Terry Bracks in 2003 - to assist
talented and self-motivated young people in the western suburbs to realise their
potential through the provision of scholarships and other related programs.
Western Chances ethos and reason for being is that there are many young people
in Melbourne's West who have potential, but cannot fully realise it due to lack of
resources, lack of money and absence of networks.
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14 September 2010
Western Chances scholarships are merit-based, and designed for talented young
people for whom support will make a difference. The family or young person
shapes the scholarship to suit their needs, is supported for as long as the talent
and need continues, is introduced to other skills development opportunities and
the Western Chances network (where support in work placements, career
management, and transition to university can be provided).
Areas of support also include computers, internet connections, memory sticks and
scanners, text books, travel cards and equipment and other resources in the
areas of music, english, maths, arts-related leadership and dance.
Western Chances coordinates the LINKS program which further assists
scholarship holders with work placements, mentoring and practical support such
as writing of resumes/curriculum vitae.
POLICY CONTEXT
YOUTH SERVICES ACTION PLAN 2007-2010
One of the key objectives identified in the Youth Services Strategic Plan is:
‘To support young people to pursue appropriate education, training, employment
and development opportunities and have opportunities to participate in
recreational, social, sporting, cultural and artistic activities.’
COUNCIL PLAN
PROSPERITY
We will facilitate and advocate for better access to education, housing,
health, employment and cultural services for all residents so they have
every opportunity to reach their full potential.
STRATEGIC RESOURCE PLAN
Not applicable.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS
COMMUNITY
Support for traineeships and the Western Chances program will strengthen
Council’s work in supporting young people and their families.
ENVIRONMENT
Not applicable.
ECONOMIC
Traineeships and the Western Chances program aims to develop young people’s
opportunities to participate in employment and training.
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14 September 2010
HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATION
This report and its contents do not impede the human rights listed in the Charter
of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.
CONSULTATION
The Youth Traineeship program, and participation in the Western Chances
program, has been developed in consultation with Council’s Organisational
Development department and the relevant sections of Council that support trainee
positions.
DISCUSSION
Council works on a number of levels to improve employment, training and skill
development for young people. Council is an active member of the Maribyrnong
Moonee Valley Local Learning and Employment Network. Local Learning and
Employment Networks (LLENs) were established in 2001 in Victoria to improve
education, training and employment options for 10 to 19 year olds, particularly
those at risk of making poor transitions from compulsory schooling to the next
stage of their lives and careers. Council participates on this network, together with
local secondary schools, Victoria University and local training organisations, in a
planning and advocacy capacity.
The Youth Services team also facilitates information for young people about
education and training. For example, on 9 September 2010 the second annual Try
a Trade Expo was held at the Phoenix Youth Centre. Try a Trade is an interactive
event which provides young people that live, work, study or recreate in the City of
Maribyrnong with a chance to experience a variety of workplace skills. TAFE
representatives and professional tradespeople from a variety of industries were
present at the expo, showcasing interesting exhibits and giving advice on how to
enter a particular trade, the skills involved and future career prospects.
Representatives from fitness, fire fighting, life guard, fashion and textiles, hair,
printing and graphic arts, automotive, tiling and hospitality industries were also in
attendance to showcase their vocations.
Council, as a major employer in the West, has recently provided and brokered
opportunities for young people to gain meaningful work and training opportunities
at Council and affiliated organisations.
Youth traineeships at Council
In 2007/2008, 2008/2009 and 2009/2010, Council funded, through its budget
Initiatives, a pilot youth traineeship program. Three trainees were successfully
placed at the Braybrook Community Centre, Phoenix Youth Centre and the
Organisation Development department.
A permanent youth traineeship position based at the Phoenix Youth Centre is
currently part of the 2010/2011 operational budget for youth services. The key
duties of the trainee position are reception assistance, administration and facility
coordination. Recruitment for the trainee is currently being undertaken.
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14 September 2010
Youth traineeship - BigFish
BigFish is a design and construction company which specialises in the generation,
production and delivery of innovative features, signage, installations and public
art. It is an anchor tenant at the Footscray Community Arts Centre facilities,
located in Moreland Street, Footscray, and has a lease with Council until 2016.
In 2007, as part of the revised service and lease agreement with BigFish, Council
negotiated a reduction in the rent in return for the undertaking that BigFish would
provide an ongoing traineeship position in their organisation specifically targeted
at disadvantaged young people in the municipality. Since 2007, three apprentices
have successfully completed training at BigFish. BigFish is a small, unique
organisation that provides local, tailored and out of the ordinary vocational
experience for young people who may not suit more traditional pathways.
Recruitment into the program is supported by Council’s Youth Services team.
Western Chances - scholarships
In June 2009, Council agreed to fund Western Chances up to $20,000 over the
next four years to sponsor scholarships for two students from the City of
Maribyrnong each year, and provide funding for annual renewal of scholarships
up to the year 2012.
In addition to the scholarship support, Council has this year placed a total of nine
Western Chances young people into work placement as part of the LINKS
programs. The young people have been placed into casual work ranging from two
to 10 weeks duration. The areas of Council where the placements have occurred
are Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre (MAC) Occasional Care, Family Day Care,
Maternal and Child Health, Customer Service, Safer Communities and Health
Promotion, Early Years and Youth Services. The students were placed according
to their current vocational and tertiary study interests and work place needs. The
duties ranged from desk based research to assist policy and strategy
development, hands-on event management at Phoenix, office based
administration and reception duties and child care at the MAC. The skills and
enthusiasm of the students have been outstanding, and their work highly valued.
The Family Services and Community Projects department will be working with the
Organisational Development department to further refine the processes for
placement and recruit other Council departments to be part of the LINKS program
in the coming year.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
Resource requirements are in accordance with existing budgetary allocation.
CONCLUSION
With the levels of disadvantage and unemployment in the municipality, young
people can find it difficult to access the workforce and develop skills that will assist
them to develop a career. Most young people have the drive and desire, yet they
generally don’t have the opportunity to secure a temporary work experience
placement.
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14 September 2010
Providing opportunities through traineeships and the Western Chances program
offers a practical solution to young people, and promotes diversity in the
workforce.
Council, as a major employer in the municipality, is well positioned to support
training and work experience opportunities for young people. In leading by
example, it also places Council in a strong position to demonstrate a model of
success to other employers in the municipality. The Big Fish initiative
demonstrates an innovative model where Council can provide leverage to support
smaller employers take on youth trainee positions.
OFFICER RECOMMENDATION:
That Council:
1.
Note the report on youth traineeships and the Western Chances
scholarship program.
2.
Thank Rhyll Dorrington, CEO, Western Chances, for her presentation
on the Western Chances scholarship program.
COUNCIL RESOLUTION:
That Council:
1.
Note the report on youth traineeships and the Western Chances
scholarship program.
2.
Thank Rhyll Dorrington, CEO, Western Chances, for her presentation
on the Western Chances scholarship program.
3.
Explore opportunities to expand the youth scholarship program in the
City of Maribyrnong.
Moved by:
Seconded by:
Cr Clarke
Cr C Cumming
CARRIED.
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6.2
14 September 2010
REPORTS
6.2.1 THE MARIBYRNONG STORY: A RESOURCE FOR PLANNING,
PARTNERSHIP AND ADVOCACY
File No:
HEA-0000
Responsible Officer:
Mr Andrew Day
Acting General Manager Community
Wellbeing
Author:
Georgie Hill
Coordinator Safer Communities and Health
Promotion
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to present The Maribyrnong Story: A Resource for
Planning, Partnership and Advocacy, a web-based resource and data directory
designed to assist staff develop a strategic, strengths-based approach to planning
for health and wellbeing.
BACKGROUND
It is emerging that the role of the local government in influencing positive health
and wellbeing outcomes for communities is best focused on creating and
strengthening protective factors, and building on the determinants of health in the
social, economic, natural and built domains.
This new approach requires a shift in thinking to re-orient the role of local
government from one of responding to ill health, to one that promotes healthy
environments for its communities.
POLICY CONTEXT
COUNCIL PLAN 2009–2013
In line with the requirements of the Municipal Public Health Plan, the Council Plan
is underpinned by a wellbeing commitment that provides a blueprint for achieving
wellbeing outcomes for everyone in the City.
Council’s primary objective is to protect and promote the wellbeing of its
community. Wellbeing is achieved when everyone has, and feel they have, the
ongoing opportunities to reach their full potential.
Putting people first means Council can think about the impact on its community in
everything it does. Every policy, strategy, decision and action is informed by this
commitment.
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COUNCIL PLAN
BUILDING COMMUNITY SPIRIT, ENGAGEMENT AND PLACES
We will build community spirit through the provision of quality facilities,
responsive services and people based places with a focus on community
engagement and participation in civic life.
STRATEGIC RESOURCE PLAN
MEASURING OUR PERFORMANCE
The Maribyrnong Story provides access to a range of data sets which are directly
related to the strategic indicators in the Council Plan.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS
COMMUNITY
The Maribyrnong Story is designed to ensure that Council is considering the
impacts on community in planning, policy development and service delivery.
ENVIRONMENT
Environment has been included in The Maribyrnong Story as a key determinant of
health and wellbeing.
ECONOMIC
Economic considerations such as employment and a thriving local economy have
been included in The Maribyrnong Story.
HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATION
The Human Rights Charter has been a key consideration in the development of
The Maribyrnong Story. Many of the elements of the Charter of Human Rights and
Responsibilities Act 2006 have been included as determinants of health.
CONSULTATION
Given that the resource has been designed for use by Council staff, extensive
consultation has occurred over the period of development to test the design,
content and useability of The Maribyrnong Story. Specific consultation methods
have included:

Presentation to Executive Managers at the inception of the project in 2008

Establishment of a cross-branch steering committee to oversee all
elements of the project

Two staff forums to gain feedback and input into content and design

Individual meetings with coordinators and managers to gather data and
Council actions for each of the three main chapters
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
14 September 2010
Presentation to the Corporate Management Team to introduce The
Maribyrnong Story, and to gather feedback on how it could be used across
the organisation.
DISCUSSION
Background
Council has had a long commitment to comprehensive population health and
wellbeing planning through the development, review and evaluation of Municipal
Public Health Plans (MPHP). In 2009, Maribyrnong was the first council across the
state (now one of three) to integrate the requirements of the MPHP (as articulated
under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008) into the Council Plan.
This step to integrate the MPHP into the Council Plan acknowledges that the
ultimate outcome of every area of Council is to improve the health and wellbeing
of the community.
This whole-of-Council responsibility for wellbeing outcomes requires some
capacity building within the organisation. The Maribyrnong Story: A Resource for
Planning, Partnership and Advocacy, has been developed as a tool to assist the
organisational integration of health and wellbeing by emphasising the connection
between wellbeing and the work undertaken in every area of Council.
The story is a web-based resource accessible to multi-users to facilitate
information sharing and integrated planning across Council. It is designed to
describe the broad influences on health and wellbeing (the determinants of
health), and capture key data on the Maribyrnong community’s health status.
It aims to:

Stimulate strategic and higher order public policy thinking and conversation
about the influence of, and mutually reinforcing capacity of, integrating the
determinant domains within a place - based setting

Provide an easy-to-access summary of the work – projects, policies, plans
and services – being undertaken in each department that directly or
indirectly generate wellbeing in the community

Consolidate, connect and analyse data that can assist in building a
multi-faceted understanding of population trends, services and activities
that impact on wellbeing.
Overview of The Maribyrnong Story: A Resource for Planning, Partnership
and Advocacy
The Maribyrnong Story is housed on the Council website, and has been designed
around three main themes:

Life Needs: Requisites for Health

Social and Community Life: Belonging

Liveability: Environments for Health.
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14 September 2010
The story provides a useful description about how these elements are pivotal to
sustained wellbeing over time and across the lifespan.
Each of these themes focus on the social, economic, environmental and other
factors that make a difference to the health and quality of life of the community;
they each include three parts:

A description of the issues and of the opportunities to work together to
make a difference

A profile of what Council is doing across each element including web links
to documents and contact details for key staff

A collection of data relevant to the chapter - data profile (in a download
PDF format).
There is also a fourth chapter included in the resource to complete the story:
about ill-health and contributing behaviours, and has specific focus on data
related to types and rates of illness in Maribyrnong, and to behaviours that pose
health risks such as alcohol misuse and tobacco use.
The chapters and the elements have been interlinked and designed to mirror as
much as possible the way staff work at Maribyrnong. Together, all four chapters
and the elements they include provide a comprehensive overview of the
approaches necessary to put people first, and of the ways in which Council is
working together to support and strengthen the health and wellbeing of the
community.
Intended use of The Maribyrnong Story
The resource is designed for use at all levels of Council including by Councillors,
managers and staff.
It can be used:

As an orientation and induction tool

To identify and plan for actions for inclusion in the Council Plan

To develop organisational performance indicators

To provide evidence for an initiative bids or business cases

To inform and support planning around policy, program or service delivery

To inform submissions for funding

To advocate on behalf of the community

To assist in building linkages across different parts of the organisation

To identify internal partners for new initiatives and support innovative
approaches that leverage opportunity

To avoid duplication

To inform others and encourage discussion and joint approaches.
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14 September 2010
It will also be promoted to community partners who have an interest in working
across the domains identified.
Methods of promotion, training and engagement
To ensure that there is full organisational ownership of the resource, a promotion
and dissemination strategy has been developed and will commence with a staff
launch in September 2010.
External promotion to key community stakeholders will include:

Media release to coincide with the launch

Letters sent to service providers and local organisations responsible for
health and wellbeing planning

Presentations at municipal and regional network meetings, for example,
Health Planners Network, Primary Care Partnership etc.
Evaluation and review
An evaluation strategy for the resource is currently being developed and will
assess process and impact measures in relation to:

Awareness of the resource across the organisation

Knowledge on how to use the resource

Usefulness of the material available

Accuracy of the material

Frequency of use

Purposes of use

Influence of resource (for example, has it assisted in strengthening links
across the organisation? etc.).
It is anticipated that the evaluation will be undertaken in 12 months, and will
inform the review process.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the content of The Maribyrnong Story
is accurate and current. A review of the Council action and data section will take
place every six months. In addition, Council staff will be actively encouraged to
provide updated information on Council action and data as it becomes available.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
Resource requirements are in accordance with existing budgetary allocation.
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CONCLUSION
Council, through the Council Plan 2009–2013, has made a firm commitment to
community wellbeing. This commitment puts people first, and recognises that
wellbeing is achieved when everyone has, and feels they have, the ongoing
opportunities to reach their full potential.
The Maribyrnong Story is a resource that both reflects and supports that
commitment. It emphasises the connection between wellbeing and the work
undertaken in every area of Council.
OFFICER RECOMMENDATION/COUNCIL RESOLUTION:
That Council note The Maribyrnong Story: A Resource for Planning,
Partnership and Advocacy.
Moved by:
Seconded by:
Cr J Cumming
Cr Clarke
CARRIED.
Cr Catherine Cumming left the meeting at 7.55pm.
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14 September 2010
6.2.2 UPDATE ON THE MARIBYRNONG FRUIT AND VEG FOR ALL
PROJECT - SEPTEMBER 2010
File No:
HEA-070-009
Responsible Officer:
Mr Andrew Day
Acting General Manager Community
Wellbeing
Author:
Pamela Morgan
Project Coordinator: Maribyrnong Fruit and
Veg for All
PURPOSE
To present the achievements of the VicHealth funded Maribyrnong Fruit and Veg
for All (MF&VFA) project, and the proposed next steps for continuing the
organisational commitment to addressing food insecurity.
BACKGROUND
Working definition of food security
The term ‘food security’ can be defined as access by all people at all times to
enough food for an active, healthy life. At a minimum, this includes having
culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate and safe foods available, and the
ability to acquire food in socially acceptable ways without resorting to emergency
food supplies.
Overview of food security
Food security studies in the developed world initially had a focus on inequities in
access to food, and the impacts of these inequities on basic health and wellbeing,
and the resulting diminished capacity of people to participate fully in all aspects of
life.
In recent years, attention has grown to also focus on the longer term issues of
secure food supplies. Food supply is becoming increasingly complex and fragile
as a result of deregulated global markets, increasing demand on the resources for
food production such as land, water and oil, and the increased likelihood of
extreme weather events that could impact on levels of food production. This is
being realised through increasing volatility of food prices.
Both these aspects of food security (access and production) are receiving
increasing attention in Australia. Levels of food insecurity in the Australian
population generally run at around 6%, but rise to much higher levels for specific
population groups, for example single parent families and the unemployed (23%),
and refugees in their first year since arrival (71%).
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14 September 2010
For many years, the role of Australia as a food exporter gave a sense of security
about the long-term supply of food. However, the fluidity of global markets, the
impact of drought and floods on food production and food prices, has raised
concerns about the sustainability and affordability of food supplies for the
Australian population. There are indications that State and Federal Governments
are recognising the need for food policies that will balance the approaches of food
production for export, and food security for the population.
POLICY CONTEXT
FOOD SECURITY POLICY 2002
The development of the MF&VFA project was informed by the definitions,
principles and commitments outlined in Council’s Food Security Policy 2002. This
policy is currently being reviewed.
PEAK OIL POLICY AND ACTION PLAN
MF&VFA has made a significant contribution to those components of the Peak Oil
Policy and Action Plan that relate to food security. This underlines the fact that
many determinants of food security lie outside the health and wellbeing sector.
COUNCIL PLAN
BUILDING COMMUNITY SPIRIT, ENGAGEMENT AND PLACES
We will build community spirit through the provision of quality facilities,
responsive services and people based places with a focus on community
engagement and participation in civic life.
STRATEGIC RESOURCE PLAN
Not applicable.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS
COMMUNITY
Over the lifetime of the MF&VFA project, a number of strategies were developed
that were successful in delivering health and wellbeing outcomes for a variety of
community groups. The learnings from this project continue to inform planning for
improved access to fruit and vegetables for all residents in Maribyrnong, as well
as deliver specific interventions for groups that are particularly vulnerable to food
insecurity.
ENVIRONMENT
MF&VFA aimed for a positive impact on the environment by helping people
understand food systems, increasing local fruit and vegetable production,
reducing the amount of food going to landfill and promoting active transport.
ECONOMIC
MF&VFA aimed to have a positive impact on the local economy by improving
access and supply of fruit and vegetables in the municipality, and promoting local
purchasing.
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14 September 2010
HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATION
This report and its contents support the Charter of Human Rights and
Responsibilities 2006 as follows:

Right to life - every person has the right to life and has the right not to be
arbitrarily deprived of life.
Council is Food Security Policy refers to Council’s commitment to the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25,
paragraph 1:
“Everyone has a right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing
of themselves and their families, including food, clothing, housing and medical
care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of
unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood
in circumstances beyond their control.”
CONSULTATION
Extensive consultation has taken place through the lifetime of this project to assist
in understanding the complexity of the issue of food insecurity and its
determinants. Food security questions have been included in Council’s annual
community surveys in 2008 and 2009, and in the Mapping Maribyrnong 2009
project.
More recently, a community and agency consultation was undertaken as part of
the Food Security Policy review, to research the current food patterns of the
community, the challenges they face in eating the food they would like to eat, and
what could be done to make it easier for the community to eat the foods that they
would like to eat.
DISCUSSION
Background
Council has taken a lead role, and has established a robust history of work in the
area of food security, with formal beginnings in a VicHealth funded demonstration
project in 2001-2002. This early work led to the development and adoption of a
Maribyrnong Food Security Policy in 2002, and informed the development of the
VicHealth Food for All Program.
The Food for All Programs two main objectives are:

To build capacity of local governments to address issues of inequity in
access to healthy food across their municipality

To develop the evidence, structures and systems to increase high level
strategic advocacy for food security issues.
VicHealth funded five local governments, including the MF&VFA project, for five
years from June 2005 to June 2010.
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14 September 2010
This period of funding has now ended and VicHealth has developed a resource kit
-10 Ways Local Government Can Act on Food Security - with accompanying
micro-movies for each of the themes. The work of Council is featured in a number
of these resource documents and micro-movies. This kit of resources will now be
disseminated to local government authorities across the State in a project
managed by the Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA).
The other new VicHealth direction has been the recognition of the need for
advocacy to the State Government for a response to food security. The State
Government has provided funding for three years to the Food Alliance, for a
healthy, sustainable and equitable food system working from the Food Policy Unit,
WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, and Deakin University. The
Food Alliance coordinates three working groups - Land Use Planning, Whole of
Government Response to Food Security, and Public Food – procurement that
supports local sustainable food systems.
The extent of food security in the City of Maribyrnong
Council’s 2009 Annual Community Survey, 5.8% of people surveyed responded
that they had run out of food in the past 12 months, and could not afford to buy
more. Although this level of food security is around the metro average, it does
highlight the severity of the insecurity, and the impact at a family level.
Additional feedback received from the 2009 Annual Community Survey indicated
that just over half the respondents would prefer their household to eat more fruit
and vegetables, but that the price, quality, and difficulties in accessing shops, and
carrying the goods home, are identified as barriers to making this change.
In relation to vegetable gardening, 37.1% of respondents reported currently
maintaining a vegetable garden, and 16.4% reported that they were considering
undertaking this action within the next twelve months.
Maribyrnong Fruit and Veg For All project
The MF&VFA project was funded by VicHealth as part of the Food for All Program
to support Council to create the necessary internal structures, policies and
processes to address food security at the municipal level.
The objectives of the Maribyrnong project were:

To increase the incorporation of food security and related issues into local
government policy, planning, strategy and action plan development

To facilitate an integrated approach to local government planning to reduce
barriers to healthy eating

To monitor the impact of the incorporation of food security and associated
issues into local government policy, planning, strategy and action plan
development

To strengthen Council’s leadership and partnerships with community and
other agencies to reduce barriers to accessing a variety of foods
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
To identify issues in order to initiate and support advocacy in relation to
reducing barriers to access and consumption of healthy food

To develop evidence base and practice experience to support future work
in local government in relation to access and consumption of healthy food.
MF&VFA has worked with local organisations (particularly the Western Region
Health Centre) and within Council, to increase the supply and accessibility of fruit
and vegetables within the municipality.
Achievements 2009/2010
In the final year of the MF&VFA project, the following initiatives were key
highlights:

221 people attended 12 community workshops in edible gardening, held in
the gardens at the Braybrook and Maidstone Community Centres (topics
included container gardening, summer salad garden, and a tour of edible
gardens in the municipality)

Partnered with Western Regional Health Centre in the delivery of
community capacity building programs, the Men’s Cooking Program and
the Bilingual Nutrition Educators Program. There are currently seven
Bilingual Nutrition Educators from six countries, who speak 12 languages
other than English between them

Two food security forums were held, presenting new ideas for targeting
food security to an audience of agencies and community groups working
with people vulnerable to food insecurity. Topics covered included the
increased availability of fruit and veg through food rescue programs and
the model of food distribution developed by the local organic collectives

Actively participated in the West Metro Community Food Enterprise
steering group, soon to roll out a trial community market scheme in
Braybrook

Collaborated with other Food For All projects to evaluate and refine food
security initiatives at the local government level

Participated in the Western Region Food Security Network, and the VLGA
Food Security Network

Increased awareness of food security across Council by developing
partnerships with relevant teams (for example, strategic planning, leisure
and open space)

Participated in working groups of the statewide independent Food Alliance
to develop a clear platform for advocacy to the State Government on food
security, and in a working group of the Heart Foundation to develop a kit to
inform planners of best practice in supporting food security.
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Council priorities for the next 12 months
The funding for the VicHealth Food for All Program ceased in June 2010, and
VicHealth has indicated its intention to disseminate the findings from the pilot
programs with other local governments. In addition, VicHealth has committed to
support the Food Alliance, a newly created umbrella body established to progress
the effort for advocacy on food security.
At a local level, a number of emerging factors have required Council to
reconfigure and restructure its food security work in the next 12 months. These
include:

A significant growth in the number of garden/food security community
groups in the City, and their demand and enthusiasm for the creation of
community gardens across the City. Council has made an additional
investment in response to this community request to create a specific and
integrated Community Gardens Policy and Strategy Plan.
The Policy will be developed to guide future Council decisions around
community gardens, including the identification of sites around the City
(including State Government - owned land), and to balance the competing
land use needs, contamination issues and governance arrangements.
This work will also contribute to a broader policy on food production in
Maribyrnong, and continue to facilitate an integrated approach to planning
and projects that contribute to food security.

As food security remains a key determinant of health and wellbeing within
the municipality, the current Food Security Policy will be updated by the
Safer Communities and Health Promotion Team to reflect the changing
demographics, external impacts and build on the lessons gleaned from
Food for All.
To ensure sustainability beyond the funding, priorities over the next 12 months will
focus on consolidating previous work and building internal capacity to create
longevity for the issue.
Key priorities for 2010/2011 will include:

Finalisation of the revised Food Security Policy (due to be adopted by
Council by December 2010)

Development and implementation of a Food Production Policy to determine
Council’s role with regard to food production, including community gardens

Rollout and evaluation of pilot projects to increase availability of fresh fruit
and vegetables in areas of the municipality identified as a food desert

Work with the growing network of agencies and community-based
organisations to build resilience in the local food system

Strengthening internal collaboration to develop and modify programs which
impact on food security
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14 September 2010
Continue to actively advocate for stronger public policy with the State and
Federal Governments to complement and facilitate local food security
policies and initiatives.
Local government challenges in progressing the food security agenda
Local government is well placed to address the multiple interconnected barriers
contributing to food insecurity. An integrated, whole-of-Council approach is
dependant on building the capacity and increasing buy-in from across the
organisation. With current and emerging competing demands, this requires a
long-term investment.
Council’s work around food security has identified a number of potential State
Government legislation that could be strengthened, that would directly benefit the
ability of councils to make further strategic progress with regard to food security.
One of these issues, namely the disconnect and ambiguity between the new
Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, and the Victorian Planning Scheme, limits
Council’s capacity to better link land use planning with food insecurity.
Additionally, there is some lack of clarity in the Planning Scheme on how urban
food production fits with the system of zoning. It is anticipated that the Food
Alliance will be addressing these issues in its advocacy to the State Government.
Council is currently participating in a working group for the alliance and is
advocating to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to play a more strategic
role on behalf of the local government sector.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
Resource requirements are in accordance with existing budgetary allocation.
CONCLUSION
Council has developed a considerable and robust body of work around food
security over the last seven years that sees Maribyrnong as a leader in Victoria.
The VicHealth - funded Food for All Program has enabled Council to clearly
understand the mandate and role of local government in addressing the barriers
to food access. Further, it has been Council’s work that has highlighted the State
Government’s structural and legislative impediments that inhibit councils building
on this work.
A number of significant achievements have been made over the funding period,
however, the issue of food insecurity still has a profound health and wellbeing
impact on the Maribyrnong community.
Two broad public policy issues likely to increase the attention on food security are
the growing evidence on the importance of healthy food intake in preventing
lifestyle diseases, and concerns about the sustainability of food supplies in the
future as peak oil and climate change impact on food production.
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At a local level, there has been a significant increase in community interest in the
creation of community gardens as a contribution towards a food production, and
as a vehicle for community development.
The review of the Food Security Policy, due to be presented to Council in October
2010 following community consultation, will provide an overarching strategic
framework for a whole of Council commitment to the issue.
The Cultivating and Growing Healthier Communities Project is expected to build
on the solid foundations established through the Food for All Program, and
provide Council with a clear framework for decision making in relation to local food
production.
Council has developed a solid base for integrated work on this issue, as
recognition grows in the community and at government level of its importance to
the wellbeing of the population.
OFFICER RECOMMENDATION/COUNCIL RESOLUTION:
That Council:
1.
Note the conclusion of funding and the final report for the Maribyrnong
Fruit and Veg For All project.
2.
Note the commencement of the Cultivating and Growing Healthier
Communities Project and receive a further report on this project in
November 2010.
Moved by:
Seconded by:
Cr Clarke
Cr Lynch
CARRIED.
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14 September 2010
MEETING CLOSURE
As there was no further business, the Chairperson declared the meeting closed at
9.18pm.
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