Geelong poverty data released by VCOSS

One in three kids in this part of Geelong live in poverty, concerning new research mapping disadvantage has found. SEE THE MAP

Simon Reeves from Norlane Community Initiatives in Labuan Square, Norlane. Picture: Brad Fleet

Almost one in three children in the Norlane area live in poverty, concerning new research has found.

At 29.8 per cent, Norlane had one of the worst rates for kids under 15 in regional Victoria, encompassing 408 children.

Statewide, 17.6 per cent of kids were living in poverty.

The Norlane area also had the highest rate of people living in economic disadvantage in Geelong, and second highest in regional Victoria, at about 24 per cent.

In the Geelong region it was followed by Corio-Lovely Banks and the Portarlington areas, Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) analysis found.

The findings, compiled in partnership with economic modelling group NATSEM, found about 17 per cent of people in those areas were living in economic disadvantage.

In those areas, about 27 per cent of children under 15 were living in poverty.

“Since this data was gathered, in August 2021, the cost of food, energy and other essentials has risen dramatically,” a VCOSS report said.

“Interest rates and rents have skyrocketed.

“This has no doubt put pressure on household budgets and likely forced more Victorians into poverty.”

Victoria’s overall poverty rate is 13.3 per cent, while Greater Geelong’s was 12.2 per cent (30,437 people).

The Surf Coast Shire’s rate was 8.3 per cent and the Borough of Queenscliffe’s 7.7 per cent.

Not-for-profit organisation Norlane Community Initiatives has two locations in the suburb, and provides a range of services including neighbourhood meals.

VCOSS chief executive Emma King.

Co-director Simon Reeves said children were growing up facing issues that they were not equipped for and should not have to deal with.

“Poverty has a massive impact on the kids,” he said.

“After working here long term and living here you see some of the kids get through and do well and others can’t quite make it and that’s incredibly tough to see.”

Mr Reeves said school and family focused programs need ongoing support.

“There’s lots of people trying to do their best with limited resources and funding,” he said.

Mr Reeves said Norlane’s problems were sometimes put in the “too hard basket”.

He said there was a lack of collaboration between different levels of government and organisations, but working together was the “way forward”.

VCOSS chief executive Emma King said the poverty rates werenot something we can tolerate.

The organisation outlined a number of recommendations to address poverty, and said the state government should:

ADVOCATE for permanent increases in benefits;

TAKE action on housing affordability;

ADDRESS cost of living pressures;

INVEST in evidence-based interventions to support children and families;

CONTINUE targeted supports for people experiencing disadvantage to move into employment; and,

TACKLE place-based disadvantage with long-term systemic funding to build on community strengths.

The state government has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Geelong poverty data released by VCOSS