The report relies on 72 data indicators to determine how people aged under 25 in the region compare in health, learning and participation measures against Victorian averages.
Out of 79 councils in the state, the report said Gannawarra was ranked as the 18th most disadvantaged on the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage.
The IRSD results were drawn from 2016 Census data, the most recent available, and showed increasing levels of disadvantage in the region over the past decade.
The report said anecdotal data and other evidence suggested the downward trend would continue, to be confirmed following the release of 2021 Census data.
Every age group of young people from zero to 24 years old declined in Gannawarra since 2006, and is expected to continue dropping.
There was an increase of 10- to 14-year-olds from 2016 to 2021, jumping from 573 to 617, although that number was below 2006’s population of 844.
Child protection substantiations and children in out-of-home care per 1000 population were both around twice as high in the Mallee region compared to the state in 2021, the report said.
Gannawarra recorded decreasing rates of recorded family violence incidents between 2016 and 2021, but had a higher family violence rate per 100,000 population.
Other areas for improvement, per the report, include school attendance, living in low-income or welfare-dependant families, kindergarten participation and child health issues.
Children who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, or with a language background other than English, from a one-parent family and from rural areas are disproportionately impacted by negative health outcomes, the report said.
Positively, the shire was above average in social, emotional and language development, achieving national standards in numeracy and literacy, and living in homes with a motor vehicle.
Fewer children were being bullied in Years 5 and 6, in homes experiencing rental or mortgage stress, and reported less long-term mental or physical health conditions compared to Victorian averages.
Council chief executive Geoff Rollinson said the report marked a significant milestone in creating a better future for Gannawarra’s youngest residents.
“This data will enable council and other agencies to make informed decisions about where to partner, focus and spend our limited time and resources,” he said.
The council aimed to achieve the highest possible gains for young residents as it could, especially for the most vulnerable, Mr Rollinson said.
The report’s launch explored community engagement opportunities to canvas lived experiences for a Family and Community Action Plan.
“We want to work together to build a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive, supported by a framework of robust and enduring support systems,” Mr Rollinson said.
“This is achievable by all of us committing to improving outcomes relating to education, health, social and emotional wellbeing.”
The full report can be found under ‘Strategic Documents’ at gsc.vic.gov.au/documents
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