Our PROJECTS

Community Feedback and Aspirations

Toormina’s Future 

Community Consultation Findings

Toormina (along with its surrounding suburbs) is a vibrant community, with a high percentage of the population being families (2016 Census). In Toormina, 7.8% of the population identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (2016 Census), which is close to three times the national average.

In recent times, there have been some encouraging developments in the area, and in particular, the community-led program Get Connected Toormina, which seeks to drive positivity and opportunity for local people. Despite these positive factors, however, there is still a high level of disadvantage in the community, and lots of room for change and improvement to the quality of life for Toormina citizens. Statistically speaking, there has been a high level of unemployment and homelessness in the area for some time (2016 Census), and this has since become exacerbated by the economic implications of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Community Consultations and Findings

In 2020 we held a series of community consultations, including focus groups and surveys, to begin to identify the needs and aspirations of the Toormina community. We asked the community about the kind of place they would like to live in, to help us shape our programs, inform future projects and drive positive change in the area. Here is what we found:

w

Community Aspirations – Focus on Safety

The community was asked to identify the kind of place they would like to live in, and their hopes for their community. The overwhelming response across varying age groups and backgrounds was that safety is the most important factor, with over 50% of respondents selecting that answer. Participants were invited to be open about their ambitions and to identify multiple goals if they wished. Other significant answers included living in a more connected community with better transport, improved infrastructure (e.g. parks), more activities and events, and informed community with easy access to a range of information such as on domestic violence, a more supportive/happy community and other social concepts such as respectful, proactive and productive communities.

  • Safe 50% 50%
  • Supportive Community 33.3% 33.3%
  • Connected Community 40% 40%
  • Productive 16.7% 16.7%
  • Proactive 16.7% 16.7%
  • Respectful 16.7% 16.7%

What do people like about living in Toormina/What is already working well?

The community was asked to identify organisations, businesses and areas in Toormina that they regularly access and have positive experiences with. There were no specific criteria set for this request and responses ranged from local businesses providing great customer service, organisations providing needed support, to community facilities being trusted and safe spaces for people who live in the area. These included:

  • Boambee East Community Centre
  • Donut King
  • IGA
  • Op Shop
  • Sawtell Football Club
  • Get Connected Toormina
  • Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre
  • Ready Mob/Galambila Aboriginal Health Service
  • Toormina Medical Centre
  • View Club
  • Woolworths
  • Hope for the Homeless
  • Police
  • Aboriginal groups
  • Support Services – such as Blue Sky, Wesley Mission, headspace, Mission Australia, Uniting.

Participants were also asked who their community champions were – people who are already working towards change and contributing to the community in positive ways. The main responses were:

  • Several Aboriginal Elders who support community and cultural initiatives
  • Staff and teachers at Toormina Public School and Toormina High School
  • Volunteers for Hope for the Homeless
  • Volunteer coaches at Sawtell Football Club
  • Volunteers at RISE
  • Staff at Woolworths Toormina (who help with BBQs)

Community Concerns – Factors in the community that could be improved

We asked the community to identify their key concerns – i.e. where they would like to see change, and what the current barriers were to improvements in the area.

The below graph shows the top responses for negative influences to the area:

  • Issues with alcohol and other drugs 66.7% 66.7%
  • Violence 50% 50%
  • Abuse 33.3% 33.3%
  • Antisocial Behaviour 50% 50%

Community Concerns – Factors in the community that could be improved

 In addition, this graph depicts the main factors people felt were hindering progress:

  • Lack of community drive/support 50% 50%
  • Alcohol and other drugs prevalence 16.7% 16.7%
  • Lack of education 16.7% 16.7%
  • High unemployment 35% 35%
  • Minimal Government presense/supprt (CHCC, Police) 16.7% 16.7%
w

Community-led action – from the perspective of citizens, what could help to drive change?

People who live within the Toormina community know what’s best for their people, and had lots of ideas about the kinds of things that may lead to positive outcomes. Top responses ae included in the graph below.

Some practical suggestions that were identified included the following:

  • More industry
  • Signage
  • Removal of graffiti
  • Funding and support
  • Infrastructure
  • More shops/businesses
  • Activities/events
  • Services, programs & education
  • Opportunities for young people
  • Increased police presence/rules
  • Community engagement 66.7% 66.7%
  • Education 33.3% 33.3%
  • Leadership / support services 50% 50%

Community interests – opportunities for relevant programs and activities

Young people in the area (13-24-year-olds) indicated their various current interests, as displayed in left graphc below.

A consistent theme throughout was the need to give young people the support and opportunity for self-belief and hopes of moving beyond the ‘cycle of disadvantage’.

A ‘youth hub’ or defined location was identified as being needed, as a base for outreach services and to provide a focus for young people.

Adults in the area also indicated their various current interests, as displayed in in right graph below.

  • Sport and other exercise (37) 80.4% 80.4%
  • Art / arts & crafts (5) 10.9% 10.9%
  • Digital – Games, TV, etc (18) 21.7% 21.7%
  • Music (6) 13% 13%
  • Food (7) 15.2% 15.2%
  • Friends (21) 45.6% 45.6%
  • Shopping (8) 17.4% 17.4%
  • Sport and other exercise 62.5% 62.5%
  • Outdoor activities using venues 20.8% 20.8%
  • Art / arts & crafts 20.8% 20.8%
  • Community improvement 22.9% 22.9%
  • Family and friends 18.75% 18.75%

Indicators of Change – how will we know if it’s working?

We asked participants, what they might see (if we get together down the track to measure the success of any implemented change), which would indicate that things were starting to happen? They identified the following:

  • Positive community interaction 66.7% 66.7%
  • Safer 33.3% 33.3%
  • Reduced Violence 33.3% 33.3%
  • Reduced Alcohol and Other Drugs 16.7% 16.7%
  • Parents feeling supported 33.3% 33.3%
  • More employment opportunities 16.7% 16.7%

Conclusion

The above is a brief overview of the main themes that came out of the consultations to date. It is by no means comprehensive, but it does allow us to begin to build a picture of what is important for people who live and work in Toormina, which will help us to prioritise and plan for future funding and projects.

We welcome the community to continue having input into what they would like to see happen in Toormina. Mention the Get Involved/Have your say tabs/links.

What we’ve been up to

View our Gallery