Transport Connections Evaluation Report - TDSA

More documents

Recommendations

Info

ABCD Department of Human Services Transport Connections Program Government July 2006 various health appointments. One hundred and seventy nine people stated that they would use a proposed Woomelang to Swan Hill bus in order to access appointments and x-rays, while 21 people stated that they would use the bus service to access further education. 12 Table 4.4 below indicates the range of activities that have increased access to local and Government resources. 13 Table 4.4: Overview of activities increasing access to local and Government resources Local and Government Resources Mid term evaluation phase Final evaluation phase Health service initiatives 8 6 14 Education service initiatives 3 6 9 Total • By trialling, refining and establishing 58 transport provision solutions 14 , the pilot projects have been able to increase accessibility to a range of local and Government services, including health, education and social services or activities. The planning and coordination activities undertaken, and those still to be undertaken, ensure that the benefits already derived will continue into the future as the community builds its capacity to respond to transport disadvantage. 4.2.7 Viability and sustainability of transport options As discussed in the mid term report, the viability and sustainability of transport options is an issue that rural and regional communities across Victoria must face. The difficulties that some communities face regarding population density and distances to travel will affect the transport response that is available to them. 4.2.7.1 Enhanced utilisation of community resources Some of the pilot projects have increased the available community resource base by assisting in the recruitment and training of volunteers, including: • Wimmera TCP bus license registration assistance – this initiative aimed to decrease transport isolation by building capacity within communities. The Wimmera TCP is providing participants with the skills required to utilise transport infrastructure already in their towns. There is no cost to the participants for this initiative as the pilot project is contributing brokerage funding. At the end of May 2006, there were 12 participants registered, with seven only requiring VTD certification and five requiring both a light rigid vehicle license and VTD certification. • Golden Connections recruiting a further 13 volunteers to assist in transport provision in and around the Golden Plains Shire. 12 This service is due to begin in July or August 2006 according to information provided by the TCP coordinator. 13 These relate directly to activities that are increasing the accessibility of either education or health services (such as opening up capacity on school buses for TAFE students or assisting people get to Melbourne for specialist appointments) and have that specific focus for the activity. 14 This is the total number across the life of the TCP. Final Evaluation - Transport Connections Program 2006 27 © 2006 KPMG, an Australian partnership, is part of the KPMG International network. KPMG International is a Swiss cooperative. All rights reserved. The KPMG logo and name are trademarks of KPMG.
ABCD Department of Human Services Transport Connections Program Government July 2006 As mentioned by several stakeholder groups, particularly those reliant on volunteers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract volunteers to undertake activities in the community. Those volunteers that are available are ageing and moving towards a phase where they will soon be dependent on volunteers themselves. Table 4.5 provides an overview of the recruitment of volunteers by the TCP over the life of the program. Table 4.5: Overview of activities increasing access to local and Government resources Community resources Mid term evaluation phase Final evaluation phase Volunteers recruited 47 Approx 20 4.2.7.2 Flexible funding arrangements In examining the range of transport initiatives planned or implemented by the pilot projects, at least 19 have required, or are awaiting the outcomes of, Government funding. The funding sourced already ranges from approximately $7,500 for the Bass Coast Summer Bus Service to approximately $15,000 for the Mallacoota-Genoa bus service in Gippsland. During the mid term evaluation, some TCP coordinators raised the concept of a discretionary pool of funding that could be accessed to implement, on a case-by-case basis, trial projects that required a small amount of seed funding. As part of the Victorian Government Transport and Liveability Statement, Meeting our Transport Challenges, a ‘Flexible Transport Solutions Fund’ will be established that all communities (regardless of TCP project involvement) can access for small funding allocations to trial or implement new, low-cost transport services or projects – including project development and minor capital works to improve access and mobility 15 . The funding will total approximately $4.19 million over four-years and be managed by DOI, with collaboration with other state agencies. This is a significant advancement in addressing transport disadvantage in local communities as there will be a dedicated and accessible funding stream. It will take away the need for communities to search for funding options to affect change and build capacity, which, in some instances, only requires a relative minimal amount of investment. In this way, promotion and change of current service provision can be addressed in a sustainable manner, utilising a ‘broker’ model to adapt new ways of transport service provision. 4.2.7.3 Brokerage funding At the time of the final evaluation, the TCP pilot projects had not finalised or submitted their Annual Reports for the financial year 2005/2006. However, access to brokerage funds continues to be a strategy that enables some transport options to be continued, or established. A current example is: • Wimmera TCP utilising $10,000 of brokerage to assist Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN financing the bus operation in the region to transport young people to Vocational Education 15 ‘Flexible Transport Solutions’, A Victorian Government Initiative, Fact Sheet May 2006. Final Evaluation - Transport Connections Program 2006 28 © 2006 KPMG, an Australian partnership, is part of the KPMG International network. KPMG International is a Swiss cooperative. All rights reserved. The KPMG logo and name are trademarks of KPMG.
Page 1 and 2: Community Strengthening and Volunte
Page 3 and 4: ABCD Department of Human Services T
Page 29: ABCD Department of Human Services T
Page 49 and 50: ABCD Transport Connections Pilot Pr
Page 65: ABCD Department of Human Services T

Transport Connections Evaluation Report - TDSA

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?