Partnership rhetoric and risk realities : the implications of risk in government/non-government family services partnerships
- Authors: McDonald, Kelsey
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This empirical study examined risk transfer from the government to the non-government sector within a public/non-profit child and family services delivery partnership. The focus of the investigation was to determine if risk had been transferred from the government to the non-government partner, and how this had impacted on welfare practice, service provision and outcomes for service users. A case study of a 2007 government/non-government child protection and child and family services partnership in the state of Victoria, Australia provided the context for the study. The research framework involved a predominantly qualitative methodology, with the researcher embedded at two Victorian Community Service Organisations (CSOs) for a 12-month period." -- Taken from Abstract.
- Description: Doctorate of Philosopy
Leading the way : The integral role of local government within a multisector partnership delivering a large infrastructure project in an Australian growth region
- Authors: Ollerenshaw, Alison , Murphy, Angela , McDonald, Kelsey
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Local Government Studies Vol. 43, no. 2 (2017), p. 291-314
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Multisectoral partnerships with local government have emerged as a strategy for solving wicked' problems in communities, although research about these types of public-private partnerships is limited. Available evidence suggests that differentials in power and status, value bases and perspectives on priorities have been problematic in partnership building with community. This paper examines the role of local government as the funded, lead organisation, in a public-private partnership for planning, designing and constructing a business accelerator in one of Australia's growth regions. Partnership scope, role and outcomes were measured against a conceptual framework mapping success indicators. Findings show core principles for successful partnership were achieved and supported by the role, capacity and commitment of local government to forming strong working relationships with consortium partners. Relationship building and commitment to collective project outcomes were pivotal to success. Further research is needed to assess whether emerging trends hold and consolidate over time.
Beyond the call of duty : The integral role of rural local government in emergency management
- Authors: Ollerenshaw, Alison , Graymore, Michelle , McDonald, Kelsey
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rural Society Vol. 25, no. 3 (2016), p. 185-203
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: As Australian state and federal governments extol the importance of resilience-building in rural communities to mitigate the effects of natural disasters, understanding the contribution of local government in supporting communities during natural disaster is required. This research examines the role and responsibilities of rural local government following a natural disaster to identify how learnings have informed subsequent disaster response planning. Framed by the local government capability requirements for managing natural disasters [Kusumasari, B., Alam, Q., & Siddiqui, K. (2010). Resource capability for local government in managing disaster. Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 19(4), 438–451] this study uses survey data from affected community members, and interviews with representatives from emergency response and recovery organisations. This data provides insights from the 2011 floods and landslides in the Grampians, Victoria and demonstrates the integral role of local governments in supporting the community. Participants acknowledged the outreach provided by local government as intensive, far reaching, and ongoing while human resourcing and institutional capabilities were limited. Findings provide guidance on best practice for natural disaster planning and response. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Grampians Natural Disaster Research
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , Dahlhaus, Peter , Greymore, Michelle , Courvisanos, Jerry , Sheil, Helen , Ollerenshaw, Alison , McDonald, Kelsey , Corbett, Jennifer
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text: false
- Description: The Grampians is located approximately 220km west of Melbourne and is accessible via the major towns of Halls Gap and Dunkeld. The Grampians National Park covers approximately 168,110ha and is listed on the Australian Heritage Database National Heritage List and other localities in the Grampians are listed on the Register of the National Estate, which testifies to the significance of the landform and its attraction as a tourism destination. In January 2011, heavy rains in the Grampians triggered more than 190 landslides, some of which were up to 3km long and caused considerable damage to private property, roads, walking tracks and public infrastructure in the region. The Halls Gap Community Safety Committee commissioned a geotechnical assessment which concluded that the majority of the landslides were debris flows triggered by 1 in 100 year rainfall. In February 2011 and as a consequence of the January 2011 flooded sections of Halls Gap were evacuated due to heavy rain and the predicted threat of landslides impacting on parts of the town. Although the rain did not eventuate, the evaluated communities reported concern about the social and financial impact of the evacuations. In response to these landslide events in the Grampians National Park, Federation University Australia was engaged by Northern Grampians Shire to investigate the social, economic and environmental impact of the events, which resulted in significant impact to the environment and communities surrounding the Park. The Grampians Natural Disaster Research website is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni). Project aim: The overall objective of the Grampians Natural Disaster Research project is to document the environmental, economic and social impacts of the 2011 flood and landslide events as they impacted on individuals, businesses and community organisations, and representatives from government and non-government organisations (including emergency services organisations closely involved with the disaster management response to the 2011 floods in the Grampians region), and to integrate these into a consolidated inventory. To achieve this, the following key questions emerged: 1. What was the social impact (perceived and actual) of the 2011 event on communities in the Grampians, especially Halls Gap 2. What were the short and long term impacts (environmental, social and economic) of this event on these communities? 3. What was the actual impact (environmental, social and economic) on the communities as perceived by local and regional agencies (government)? 4. How could disaster management processes reduce the social and economic impact of any natural disaster event in the future, for this region? This research will provide a greater understanding of the impact of the Grampians natural disaster on communities directly impacted by the floods and landslides. The results may be used to inform appropriate risk and emergency services management strategies to minimise the impact of such events on communities in the future. This information can be used for future disaster management and planning in the Grampians region, and beyond, where many communities around the state require informed disaster management in response to climate change. Project partners: Northern Grampians Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Council, Horsham Rural City Council, VicRoads, Parks Victoria, Southern Grampians Shire Council, Country Fire Authority, and with support from the State Emergency Service and Federation University Australia.
- Description: The Grampians is located approximately 220km west of Melbourne and is accessible via the major towns of Halls Gap and Dunkeld. The Grampians National Park covers approximately 168,110ha and is listed on the Australian Heritage Database National Heritage List and other localities in the Grampians are listed on the Register of the National Estate, which testifies to the significance of the landform and its attraction as a tourism destination. In January 2011, heavy rains in the Grampians triggered more than 190 landslides, some of which were up to 3km long and caused considerable damage to private property, roads, walking tracks and public infrastructure in the region. The Halls Gap Community Safety Committee commissioned a geotechnical assessment which concluded that the majority of the landslides were debris flows triggered by 1 in 100 year rainfall. In February 2011 and as a consequence of the January 2011 flooded sections of Halls Gap were evacuated due to heavy rain and the predicted threat of landslides impacting on parts of the town. Although the rain did not eventuate, the evaluated communities reported concern about the social and financial impact of the evacuations. In response to these landslide events in the Grampians National Park, Federation University Australia was engaged by Northern Grampians Shire to investigate the social, economic and environmental impact of the events, which resulted in significant impact to the environment and communities surrounding the Park. The Grampians Natural Disaster Research website is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni). Project aim: The overall objective of the Grampians Natural Disaster Research project is to document the environmental, economic and social impacts of the 2011 flood and landslide events as they impacted on individuals, businesses and community organisations, and representatives from government and non-government organisations (including emergency services organisations closely involved with the disaster management response to the 2011 floods in the Grampians region), and to integrate these into a consolidated inventory. To achieve this, the following key questions emerged: 1. What was the social impact (perceived and actual) of the 2011 event on communities in the Grampians, especially Halls Gap? 2. What were the short and long term impacts (environmental, social and economic) of this event on these communities? 3. What was the actual impact (environmental, social and economic) on the communities as perceived by local and regional agencies (government)? 4. How could disaster management processes reduce the social and economic impact of any natural disaster event in the future, for this region? This research will provide a greater understanding of the impact of the Grampians natural disaster on communities directly impacted by the floods and landslides. The results may be used to inform appropriate risk and emergency services management strategies to minimise the impact of such events on communities in the future. This information can be used for future disaster management and planning in the Grampians region, and beyond, where many communities around the state require informed disaster management in response to climate change. Project partners: Northern Grampians Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Council, Horsham Rural City Council, VicRoads, Parks Victoria, Southern Grampians Shire Council, Country Fire Authority, and with support from the State Emergency Service and Federation University Australia.
Understanding and addressing digital disadvantage in Wimmera Southern Mallee :Research report
- Authors: Tischler, Catherine , McDonald, Kelsey , Reeves, Keir
- Date: 2022
- Type: Report , Technical report
- Full Text:
- Description: The Understanding and addressing digital disadvantage in Wimmera Southern Mallee Project (the project) explored the challenges Wimmera Southern Mallee residents, focusing on low-income individuals and families, small/micro businesses and migrant groups have in accessing and effectively engaging with digital technology to help guide future regional actions. The project team interviewed 31 people from across five Local Government areas in the Wimmera Southern Mallee (Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Northern Grampians, Horsham Rural City and Yarriambiack) who have low engagement with digital technology and/or limited internet access, as well as a representative sample of those who work to support those with low digital literacy. Ethnographic research was undertaken to understand the factors that impact on digital engagement and accessibility across the three key demographic groups in the study area. The research investigated people’s access to hardware (e.g. computers, phones and tablets) as well as networks (internet plans and connections – broadband, satellite, mobile etc.). Understanding the challenges in engaging with and interpreting digital technology will help inform future advocacy and policy responses for this region. The research will also facilitate better targeting of information and support to Wimmera Mallee residents to actively improve uptake, access, and engagement. This is important, as the region has been identified as having the lowest digital literacy of any area in Victoria (Australian Digital Inclusion Index 2020).
Unlocking aspiration, outcomes and equity by unpacking childcare issues in the Wimmera Southern Mallee
- Authors: Tischler, Catherine , McDonald, Kelsey , Reeves, Keir
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Technical report , Research report
- Full Text:
- Description: The Unlocking Aspiration, Outcomes and Equity by unpacking childcare issues in the Wimmera Southern Mallee Project (the project) explored issues in childcare provision and access across four rural local government areas (Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and Northern Grampians) within the Wimmera Southern Mallee. The intent of this work was to inform the ByFive Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM) Early Years initiative (ByFive), a place-based community collaboration. ByFive was initiated by the WSM regional partnership in 2018, after the community nominated early childhood as their highest priority. The Victorian Government provides funding to ByFive to work together to redesign and improve early years’ service delivery within the WSM. Through this work the ByFive collaboration seeks to overcome disadvantage and inform whole of government system change to address a range of issues impacting the social, health and developmental outcomes of children by the age of five in the Wimmera Southern Mallee Region.