Research and other information
Community Engagement and Climate Change
Community Engagement and Climate Change: Benefits, Challenges and Strategies (PDF 1153 kb), or (Word 733 kb) was released in January 2009. The Department of Planning and Community Development report was commissioned to gain better understanding of the ways in which community engagement strategies can be used to address climate change issues.
Adult Community Education: Contributing to Economic and Social Development in Victoria
The Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation Jacinta Allan released the report The Economic Benefits of Investment in Adult Community Education in Victoria (PDF 821 kb) or (Word 5724 kb) on 31 October 2008. “The report reaffirms the economic and social benefits of the ACE sector and the importance of the Brumby Government’s $39 million annual investment in community learning programs” Minister Allan said. The Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board commissioned Allen Consulting Group to prepare the report.
Caroline Springs Partnership – evaluation report
Since 2004 the Department has been testing a new model for planning infrastructure and services like schools, community centres and recreational facilities in growth areas. It has been working in partnership with the Shire of Melton and Delfin Lend Lease to build a strong community in Caroline Springs in Melton, the fastest and largest growing municipality in Victoria.
An evaluation has shown that the partnership approach is a model for success in community development. Caroline Springs is a well-planned community that provides services not only to its own residents, but to people living across the Shire of Melton. Residents now report high levels of satisfaction with the area and the opportunities and facilities it offers.
Read the April 2007 report Strengthening local communities: Integrated local area planning in growth suburbs – the evaluation of the Caroline Springs Partnership (PDF).
Urban and Regional Research - what is the data telling us?
The Spatial Analysis and Research Branch conducts research across a range of topics, including population, housing, land development, employment and sustainability. This research explores key trends and issues for Victoria's cities, towns and rural areas. Understanding and communicating how these issues impact on urban and regional change is vital to making informed and sustainable decisions about the future development of Victoria.
Find out more about Urban and Regional Research including the latest Census 2006 and Victoria In Future 2008 data and analysis.
Strengthening Local Communities: Arts in Community Settings
This second report in the Strengthening Local Communities series examines the results of focus groups undertaken with artists, participants and community groups about the impact of two Community Arts Programs. The report shows that arts projects in community settings generate significant benefits for participants, artists and communities. They give participants and artists new career pathways and opportunities, and generate the positive outcomes for communities through greater connectedness and integration. A key finding was that these projects can be significant tools for engaging hard to reach populations, and can provide an avenue for these groups to explore issues and express them to others. This can allow community organisations to access their viewpoints for local planning. The report also demonstrates the importance of partnerships in making arts and cultural activities sustainable in local communities.
Read Strengthening Local Communities: Arts in community settings (PDF 1.3mb)
Enterprising Communities
The Department for Victorian Communities has been working in partnership with communities to develop community enterprises since 2004. The Enterprising Communities report summarises the approach and highlights the results using practical examples of Victorians finding pathways to employment, growing social networks and becoming more active participants in their communities.
Read Enterprising Communities - the Victorian Government's Community Enterprise Strategy (PDF 783 kb)
Community and Social Enterprise: What Role for Government?
The purpose of this paper is to provide a starting point for discussion about the nature of community and social enterprise in Victoria, and the role that government can play in supporting this field of activity. The paper is based on a review of social enterprise activity and related public policy in a number of countries, and a preliminary account of social enterprise activity and thinking in Australia.
Read Community and Social Enterprise: What Role for Government? (PDF 159kb)
Community, Place and Buildings: The Role of Community Facilities in Developing Community Spirit
This paper captures the themes and debates that emerged from the 'Better Facilities – Stronger Communities Conference' held in August 2005. The conference was jointly hosted by the Department for Victorian Communities (DVC) and the City of Whittlesea, and canvassed opportunities for broader discussion regarding the links between planning, designing and managing community and leisure facilities and broader community outcomes.
Read Community, Place and Buildings: The Role of Community Facilities in Developing Community Spirit (PDF 132kb)
Workforce Participation Taskforce
In March 2005, the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs, Jacinta Allan, established Victoria’s Workforce Participation Taskforce to closely examine the impact of demographic change on Victoria’s workforce.
Read more about the Workforce Participation Taskforce and its findings.
Population Health in Whitehorse: cardiovascular disease risk factors and related health inequalities in the City of Whitehorse (2005)
This publication describes the results of a population health survey commissioned by the Whitehorse Community Health Service (WCHS) in a small area in Melbourne. It reports on twelve cardiovascular disease indicators, including aspects of community connectedness, in the general, Chinese and disadvantaged populations.
Read Population Health in Whitehorse: cardiovascular disease risk factors and report (including select social determinants) and related health inequalities in the City of Whitehorse (2005) (PDF 287 kb)
Community Strengthening through Urban Sociability - A research paper funded by the DVC and prepared by Dr John Montgomery
This paper explores the concept of ‘urban sociability’. It states that urban sociability is difficult to define and quantify, but it represents the sum part of everyday patterns of life, comings and goings, memories of places and qualities such as friendliness, civility and good manners. The paper describes urban sociability as a combination of robust communities, good places like neighbourhoods, districts, suburbs, and towns, and forms of social life that occur in public places.
Read Community Strengthening through Urban Sociability (PDF 255kb) - A research paper funded by the DVC and prepared by Dr John Montgomery
Strengthening Local Communities: An overview of research examining the benefits of Neighbourhood Houses (2005)
Neighbourhood Houses are local organisations that provide educational and recreational programs in communities at a low cost, and there are around 360 across Victoria. This report examines whether Neighbourhood Houses build social and human capital in their participants.
The research shows that the Houses have helped participants build networks and skills that assist them in managing daily life, dealing with difficult circumstances and creating new opportunities such as employment or further study.
Read Strengthening Local Communities: An overview of research examining the benefits of Neighbourhood Houses (PDF 309kb)
Changing the Way Government Works
Yehudi Blacher, Secretary of the Department for Victorian Communities, discusses the challenges inherent to changing the way government works. The goal is to encourage greater cooperation, partnerships amongst Departments and levels of Government, greater local decision-making and public accountability.
Read changing the way Government works (PDF 69kb) (published in Public Administration Today, Oct-Dec 2005).
Community Adversity and Resilience
In 2004, the Department for Victorian Communities funded a research project run by the Ignatius Centre for Social Policy and Research, Jesuit Social Services. The project examined the distribution of social disadvantage in Victoria and New South Wales and the mediating role of social cohesion. View the report at
Victorian Population Health Survey
Since 2001, the Department of Human Services has collected data on social capital related concepts via a Victorian Population Health Survey. The findings are reported annually. The 2001 and 2003 reports contains commentary by Dr David Adams, Executive Director of DVC’s Strategic Policy and Research Division. Access the reports by visiting
Some of the content and documents linked from this page were published by the former Department of Victorian Communities (DVC). Many of its functions are now the responsibility of the Department of Planning and Community Development. This page and/or the attached document(s) retain references to DVC for historical accuracy.
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