Cardinia Shire Council is taking action to ensure our rapidly growing community can access the education, health and social services it needs now and into the future.
Council is undertaking a comprehensive Education and Health Services Gap Analysis to understand which services are not meeting demand, and where improvements are needed most.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Brett Owen said findings from the review would inform development of a Service Attraction Framework and support continued advocacy for improved funding, investment and increased availability of local services.
"With more than three new families moving into the shire every day, demand for essential services continues to grow," Mayor Owen said.
"Many essential services are located outside the shire, and limited transport options can make access difficult, especially for people experiencing hardship or vulnerabilities. Our community needs health and education services close to home, but we know that local infrastructure, services and jobs are not keeping up with our rapid growth.
"We're keen to hear from service users and the broader community to get an understanding of your lived experiences and any gaps in local services. This will help us better understand community needs as well as opportunities to address gaps in services and infrastructure across the shire.
"We're also seeking input from further education and training service providers, as well as health and community service providers, to capture professional insights, sector challenges and opportunities for collaboration."
The Education and Health Services Gap Analysis is a key initiative of the Council Plan 2025–29. The gap analysis report will include actions that Council can take to increase the accessibility and availability of education and health services in the shire in the short, medium and long-term, and will inform the development of a Service Attraction Framework.
"Undertaking this important work will help Council strengthen partnerships with other levels of government, support business growth and infrastructure investment, and ensure we have a thriving local education and health sector," Mayor Owen said.
