Transport Connections Evaluation Report - TDSA

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
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