Bega Valley

Issue: Community wellbeing

The community's sense of wellbeing is related to factors that range from the quality of their natural and urban surroundings to their socio-economic position, the availability of services and their perceptions of safety. Ideally, the community feels secure in, and has a positive outlook about, the place in which they reside.

Under NSW law, each council is required to produce a social plan for its local government area. Because the social plans prepared by council now cover many of the indicators used to assess Community Wellbeing for previous Australian Capital Region state of the environment reports, many of these State of the Environment indicators have not been assessed in detail for this report. However, the most important aspects of each indicator—things that enhanced community wellbeing as well as issues warranting attention—are summarised below. Noise and heritage are reported in more detail because of the requirements of the NSW Local Government Act 1993.

What helped to enhance community wellbeing during the reporting period?

Drinking water quality was of a high standard.
Limited tertiary courses are now offered through University of Wollongong Bega Education Access Centre and local campuses of the Illawarra Institute of TAFE.
There were no major noise problems.
The total number of employed persons in the shire grew consistently, mainly from strong growth in part-time employment.
An additional 48 places in the shire were recognised for their heritage value in the Local Environment Plan.
Public buildings were all useable, and sewer assets are in the process of a major upgrade across the shire.
The shire's population continued to grow in number and age.
Private vehicles continued to be the most favoured form of transport, and ownership of motor vehicles continued to climb across the reporting period.

Issues for community wellbeing during the reporting period

The shire's population continued to grow in number and age but accommodation for the ageing population and affordable housing were of concern.
Youth health and drug and alcohol abuse, Indigenous health, limited access to medical specialists for people with a disability and men's health were of concern.
Road and drainage assets although generally in average condition are continuing to deteriorate due to lack of expenditure.
Crime rates in the shire continued to remain at high levels, particularly for offences against the person and property damage. However council staff were active in formulating measures to reduce anti-social and violent behaviour.
Limited public transport is available to many residents in the shire.

Noise and Heritage

Under the requirements of the NSW Local Government Act 1993, reporting of heritage (both aboriginal and non-aboriginal) and noise is a mandatory requirement in each local government's State of the Environment report.

Noise

Although no complaint data were available, noise appears to have been a minor issue for the shire during the reporting period. The NSW Police received 148 complaints during 2002–03 and 2003–04 about noise associated with noisy neighbours. Council receives noise complaints about a variety of sources including traffic noise, refrigerated vehicles, barking dogs, power tools, and amplified music.

Heritage

Three hundred and four places in the shire were listed on various heritage registers at the end of the reporting period, the majority of them of cultural or historic significance. One place was added to the Register of the National Estate and one to the State Heritage Register during the reporting period. Over that time 213 heritage places were also included in the 2002 Bega Valley Local Environment Plan. This is a major increase from the 48 places in previous local environment plans (LEPs) referred to in the 2000 State of the Environment report.