A NATIONAL report which claims Bunbury is disadvantaged compared to neighbouring shires may not reflect reality, but pockets of hardship are being felt across the region.
The Dropping Off The Edge report, a national study of social disadvantage released last week, named Bunbury, Collie and Waroona “disadvantaged” with low scores across housing stress, long-term unemployment and unskilled workers.
Capel, Dardanup and Harvey received higher scores across almost all 19 categories and were placed in the “advantaged” bracket, along with Busselton and Donnybrook.
Accordwest chief executive officer Neil Hamilton said while the report could provide a useful national snapshot, the finer details could be skewed across Greater Bunbury shires.
“These figures are good to see a broad picture of what’s going on, but they may not accurately capture the more discrete pockets,” Mr Hamilton said.
“There are areas of disadvantage right across the South West and affordable housing continues to be a major issue.”
Earlier this month the state government set a new target to deliver an additional 10,000 affordable homes by 2020.
South West MLC Colin Holt said more than 1300 affordable homes had been provided in the region to date.
The Dropping Off The Edge report was compiled by Jesuit Social Services and Catholic Social Services Australia using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, NAPLAN, the Australian Early Development Index and state and territory government human services agencies.
Mr Hamilton said Accordwest and WA Council of Social Service hosted a meeting with South West providers this month, which revealed the same issues across the region in accommodation, rising cost of utilities and unemployment.
“If we continue to see the flow-on from the mining downturn with people coming out of high-paying jobs, it will further marginalise the marginalised,” Mr Hamilton said.
“If you can’t get into paid employment and have to rely on benefits, you will find yourself living on the edge.”
But Mr Hamilton was happy to report that he had witnessed a great level of “social conscience” across Bunbury and the South West in recent months.
“There is phenomenal amounts of goodwill in our region, people who have the capacity to help out are showing remarkable generosity – they are aware of the economic climate and that there are genuine people out there doing it tough,” he said.
Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said he continually received positive comments from the community and visitors on a number of aspects of the city, ranging from cleanliness and presentation through to lifestyle, vibrancy, range and standard of cultural and sporting facilities, safety, respect and opportunities.
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The full report is available at dote.org.au