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Community Well-beingStatistics in Action

Mary Doherty General Manager Sanctuary Energy

NatStats Conference 2010 Sydney, 15 -17 September

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Presentation Overview

Community Responses to measurements of wellbeingPotential issues and associated challenges for the futureRegional Recognition (I Love the Central Coast Campaign)Importance of Statistics in supporting effective community response

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Quality of life in the Central Coast

1. Achievements in life2. Standard of living3. Personal relationships4. Community connectedness5. Feelings of safety6. Future security7. Health

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Key Findings• Personal attributes and the external living environment affect

quality of life• Quality of life can be measured at both an individual and

community level• Governments can make a difference to quality of life by

focusing on the external environment

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Transport

74% of residents nominated their car as their main mode of transport

33.4% were not satisfied with the public transport servicefrequency of service was the key issue

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EducationCensus, and other ABS survey data, indicates education gap in

the Central Coast Region vs. the State Traditionally low skill base on Central Coast Most employment growth has been occurring in the

“knowledge-based” industries and these new jobs require employees with skills and high qualification level

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Environment

Over 80% of Central Coast residents had visited a natural environment

Visitation was associated with higher wellbeing and quality of life

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Deliverables

• Recognised Central Coast Region

• Support for sustainable local economic development

• Improved amenity and liveability

• Improved access within the region

• Highly developed connectivity

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What Next?The most outstanding issue that the community faced was lack of

identity and recognition as its own region Tribe, sense of place, ownership and pride was identified as a key

to bring the different groups and sectors togetherLip service was heard by the community from local, state and

federal politicians but that’s all there was. If there was to be a change it had to happen from within

The campaign was born

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Facebook - Internet- Community

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OutcomesThe Australian Bureau of Statistics after three years changed the

classification of the region from Gosford - Wyong to the NSW Central Coast for statistical data. Yippee!

The State government in the last five weeks officially recognised the NSW Central Coast as a region in its own right. The Federal Government also has recognised the region

Health, Education, Transport and Development are being addressed from a measurable and transparent perspective (KPI’s work!)

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The FutureIn partnership with the Australian Bureau of Statics there is a plan to

produce “Spotlight on the Central Coast Website” utilising local, state and federal government backing

The future is knowledge, measurable data, education and the environment

The community seeks engagement through social media, instant news coverage and the ability to access information through the internet

The future depends on keeping up with society’s need and thirst for accurate and useful information