Victorian neighbourhood houses will receive recurrent funding should a Liberal-National Coalition be elected in November.
The election promise was announced by shadow disability, carers and seniors minister Tim Bull on Thursday, August 4, to give certainty to the sector.
“We understand the terrific work done by our neighbourhood houses and their need to plan their future with certainty,” Mr Bull said.
Neighbourhood houses provide childcare, house libraries, seniors’ groups and government services to local communities.
Neighbourhood houses have an annual sum of $5.4 million in funding allocated by the Victorian Government until next year, but North Shepparton Community and Learning Centre co-ordinator Debbie Orlandi said they needed recurrent funding secured in order to retain staff and keep programs running.
“We’re worrying about which programs we’re going to have to drop because we can’t do it anymore,” Ms Orlandi said.
“So to know that it will be continual, that’s just amazing.”
Victorian Nationals Leader Peter Walsh said neighbourhood houses deserved secure funding, given the amount of services they deliver to communities.
“Neighbourhood houses deliver a whole range of services in the community, particularly post-COVID,” Mr Walsh said.
“But it’s also about the social interaction you get by going to a neighbourhood house.”
Ms Orlandi confirmed the programs that would be lost should the funding not continue would be the social programs and classes.
“That grassroots stuff that we do for people is what would be at jeopardy,” she said.
“Connecting with the community and getting those people who are isolated in their homes out, that would be what you would be losing.”
Nationals candidate for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe said the neighbourhood houses in the region did “amazing work”.
“Our community depends on it and we see the difference,” she said.
“This is such an important announcement today and hopefully we can continue to support these amazing facilities.”
Liberals candidate for Shepparton Cheryl Hammer agreed the neighbourhood houses “provide huge value” to communities.
“They often do the heavy lifting along with their volunteers as places where people can access medical services, wellbeing activities, even a hot lunch in a safe, non-judgmental space,” she said.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria interim chief executive Cameron MacRae said making what was currently temporary funding permanent would secure the delivery of community services and staff members.
“The Victorian Liberals and Nationals recognise the important role neighbourhood houses play in strengthening health and wellbeing outcomes for local Victorian communities,” Mr MacRae said.
“Particularly in regional and rural Victoria where half of our over 400 neighbourhood houses are located.”
The additional funding has meant 27 neighbourhood houses received financial support for the first time, and provided for 167 others with the ability to increase co-ordination hours.
The region has seven neighbourhood houses — Tatura, Nathalia and Numurkah community houses, Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre, Murchison and District Neighbourhood House, North Shepparton Community and Learning Centre and South Shepparton Community House.