Community Development in Caravan Parks
Laying the foundations through partnership and collaboration.

Overview

Background

Initiatives

National Dissemination Program
Brisbane City Council
St Vincent de Paul
ONSITE
Government Departments
Inala Community Theatre

Brisbane City Council Involvement

Results

Future directions Conclusion

Overview

This is a report on a project designed to improve living conditions for residents of Brisbane’s caravan parks. In compiling this report, Brisbane City Council has worked with St Vincent de Paul, ONSITE, the National Dissemination Program, the Department of Families, Youth and Community Care, the Department of Education, Queensland Health, community workers and park residents.

The aims of the project were to work with those involved to identify key concerns, to recognise the role parks played in providing housing and to improve, enrich and stabilise life for caravan park residents.

Background

"Queensland has by far the largest caravan park population of any state." ABS 1996

While permanent occupancy in caravan parks is the lifestyle choice for some people, for many others experiencing poverty, homelessness, unemployment or family violence, caravans are often their only housing option.

Queensland houses 37% of Australia's caravan park population. Of those, more than a quarter live in a coastal strip that stretches from Noosa in the north to Ballina in the south.

Information from the 1996 census showed there were 2,518 occupied caravans, houseboats and cabins in the City area. The great majority (2,230) are located in Brisbane's 23 caravan parks which accommodate between 20 vans and 250 vans.

Caravan residents numbered 3,650 or about a half of 1% of Brisbane's population. Most residents (81%) identified themselves as permanent residents. Figures show that in comparison with the rest of Brisbane's population, van residents are more likely to be older, earn less and live alone.

Research shows that issues specific to caravan parks that have arisen include --

• isolation of parks and lack of transport,
• safety issues related to design and layout of parks,
• limited access to services, facilities, transport and educational support,
• lack of a uniform, regulatory approach to policy, standards and planning,
• health problems, including cardiac and renal disease, obesity, poor nutrition,
• substance abuse, depression, suicide and impaired mental health,
• domestic violence, child abuse and poor parenting,
• inadequate homework facilities, negative attitude to schools, high levels of
• truancy and non — enrolment at school,
• low fixed incomes and high dependence on emergency relief,
• resentment of negative community attitudes about van dwellers, perceived stigma of living in a van, difficulty in obtaining /Library or video loans.

Initiatives

"I don't want to be viewed less than, merely because I call a park my home..."

1. National Dissemination Program — Hunter Valley Caravan Project

This project was established in 1985 when little was known about caravan families. It investigated the needs of families with young children who were permanent residents of caravan parks in the Hunter region of NSW. The first work was investigative and experimental and developed
park--based, self--help programs for adults and children.

These included --

• Playgroups for children 0 — 5 years. These are now managed jointly by park committees and a playgroup co--ordinator.
• After School Program for preschool and school children, conducted by a park resident and supported by the Hunter Valley Project Team.
• Vacation Program one day a week in school vacations using resources from the mobile unit, the park and the Department of Sport and Recreation.
• Baby/Toddler Program helping very young children and improving parent/child interaction.
• Home/School Liaison Program where teachers helped children to develop self--esteem, confidence, social skills and competence in basic subjects. It fostered communication between home and school.
• Resuscitation and Swim/Gym classes sponsored by local government to promote water confidence and safety.
• Special Programs such as picnics, field trips, family days and fundraisers. Adults attended meetings; program workers had in--service days and parents participated in discussion groups.

  In addition, the project identified a need for health nutrition education. They received a grant from the Department of Health, Housing and Community Services to --

• investigate the health of mobile families,
• involve all relevant health professionals in education sessions,
• gather information and initiate changes leading to a healthier environment,
• develop awareness of health issues for mobile families.

2. Brisbane City Council

In 1995, Brisbane City Council published profiles showing that caravan park dwellers formed a significant proportion of the total population in some areas of Brisbane. Along with the profiles came a Council review of local laws — including the regulation of standards in caravan parks.

As a result, many questions were raised, including park location, access to community services, conditions in the parks, availability and affordability of caravans and rights of tenure.

This research brought Council into contact with the Hunter Valley National Dissemination Program and their findings. With their support, Council Environmental Health Officers and Town Planners conducted a workshop focusing on standards and operational infrastructure. A second workshop involving the Australian Pensioners and Superannuants League looked at phone access for van dwellers.

Shortly afterwards, Council was approached by St Vincent de Paul and ONSITE, who were already working in caravan parks.

Council continued to review its local laws and committed resources and staff to foster community development. With this commitment came recognition that evaluation and reform of caravan parks would take networking, partnerships, awareness--raising, skill development, resource provision and ongoing support structures. Many different agencies, departments and groups would need to be involved.

Council maintains an ongoing liaison with the National Dissemination Program in the development of responses to local issues and it participated in the Sixth National Caravan Park Workers' Seminar held in Brisbane in March 1999.

3. St Vincent de Paul

In 1996, members from St Vincent de Paul in Sunnybank were granted $15,000 from Brisbane City Council and additional money from the Gaming Machine Fund to establish a community project in the local San Mateo Caravan Park. The project, based in an on--site caravan (the Vincent Van), aimed at encouraging self help, self esteem and empowerment to residents in need. This project encouraged a movement from relationships based on dependency and distance to those characterised by empowerment and mutuality. A recent review of the project notes that "the Vincent Van project remains both inspirational and daunting. It is significant because it has the capacity to be life-- changing for residents and volunteers and because it informs policy and planning beyond the location of the caravan park ".

Council has also provided funds to St Vincent de Paul for --

• a women's group,
• an oral history project,
• a community worker for the next stage of the Vincent Van project.

4. ONSITE

In 1997, Council granted ONSITE a $25,000 Community Development Assistance Grant to employ a co--ordinator. This was a partnership between Council and a community network which focused on the needs of permanent residents in caravan parks.

ONSITE identified a range of concerns, including --

• security of tenure,
• the need to review local laws and standards to improve quality of life,
• support for the role played by caravan parks and investigation of other housing options,
• the need to co--ordinate and develop community and government initiatives,
• the continuing need to support ONSITE's co--ordinating role.

  The significance of this partnership was commented on by those associated with ONSITE and their comments were recorded in the Building Commitment Policy Report launched by Brisbane's Lord Mayor in 1998.

  "The grant allowed a very new and small community network to begin harnessing its energy and sharpening its focus around the issues of caravan parks. It connected the ONSITE network with Brisbane City Council's Community Development Team East, the beginning of a very positive experience of mutuality and shared wisdom."

  "It is clear that the most powerful and transformative tool is to work together with all the stakeholders — Council — State Government — residents — industry..."

5. Government Departments

Brisbane City Council maintains continuing links with, and seeks involvement from, appropriate government departments. These include the Department of Families, Youth and Community Care, Queensland Health, the Department of Education and Queensland Housing.

6. Inala Community Theatre

Van Sweet Van was a project of the Inala Community Theatre Inc. funded by the Queensland Government. This project produced a piece of participatory theatre for park residents and an information booklet for people who live or who are planning to live in a caravan.

Information included in the booklet includes --

• why live in a caravan
• advantages and disadvantages
• a place to call home
• moving in and moving out
• making your park a community
• living in a rented van or a van you own
• other options where to get help.

Van Sweet Van became a model for community development and community arts practice.

Brisbane City Council Involvement

"When it comes to your children, especially those under 10, you need to keep an eye on them all the time."

Council's park initiatives recognise that people live permanently or semi--permanently in caravan parks, so their integration with the urban fabric of SE Queensland is necessary and desirable.

Council reviewed local laws and committed staff and resources to community development. It supported a process of evaluation and reform that raised awareness, built partnerships, developed skills, provided resources and created co--operation between agencies, departments and groups of people, enabling caravan parks to remain a viable housing choice.

Council aims to --

• help community organisations and other stakeholders to become involved, develop strategies and meet the needs of caravan park residents,
• review, clarify and improve regulations, planning guidelines and local laws,
• work in partnership with industry, government bodies and the community to improve caravan park life, services and standards.

To achieve these aims, Council has been involved in the following key activities.

• Compiling a demographic profile that will give a comprehensive picture of caravan parks in the greater Brisbane area.
• Reviewing local laws to improve quality of life. Council is principally responsible for the location, design and operating standards of caravan parks and can bring about change using the City Plan and local laws. (Council is currently reviewing these options.)
• Working with community organisations to develop and improve networks and services.
• Enhancing Council services in the areas of park amenities, public transport, information services, youth facilities, rate rebates etc.
• Developing an advocacy role at State and National levels.

Results

"I want to be included in our local neighbourhood activities and have the same access as everyone else to support and information ..."

There has been a closer examination of key issues, additional funding from Brisbane City Council and other bodies, and a summary of outcomes.

Identification of Key Issues

• the number of caravan park closures in greater Brisbane over the past few years,
• the role of caravan parks in social housing in Brisbane and in Australia as a whole (anecdotal evidence suggests this is a growing trend),
• management and standards of caravan parks,
• need for further research into supply and demand, future trends, impact of changes and the contribution played by caravan parks in terms of affordability, emergency housing, deinstitutionalisation etc. (in co--operation with Queensland Housing).

Recent Funding

• $85,000 awarded by Council to community development projects in caravan parks,
• $750 from Council to the Vincent Van to run a women's group,
• $6,000 awarded by Council for an oral history project with San Mateo caravan park residents,
• mobile school (the Ed Shed) established at San Mateo by ONSITE, targeting 5 — 12 year olds and funded to $400,000 by Education Queensland as a 2 year pilot),
• negotiations between Council and the Department of Families, Youth and Community Care to match initiatives and funds for community development infrastructure for caravan parks,
• 2 full--time health workers to target 8 caravan parks in the Logan area funded by Queensland Health as a 2 year pilot.

A Summary of Outcomes includes --

• a recognition of the role played by caravan parks in social housing,
• recording the experiences of caravan park residents,
• the compilation of a document — 'Building Commitment' Policy Report — outlining key policy matters requiring collaboration between local and state governments, community organisations, industry and residents,
• increased knowledge and understanding of key issues from all stakeholders,
• a commitment from Council and other stakeholders to address specific issues raised by ONSITE,
• a review of local laws using a Council audit of standards and the preparation of a paper outlining options and recommendations for change.

Future Directions

"It's a really good position, this area, especially when you haven't got a car."

The integration of caravan park living with city life overall will require consideration of the following issues.

• An ongoing partnership between the Brisbane City Council, industry, State Government and community organisations.
• Further development of community infrastructure to include development of a community--based organisation.
• Transport, recreation, parks and community facilities to be as convenient for caravan park residents as they are for the rest of the community.
• Development of new initiatives to increase the participation of caravan park residents in community life.
• Support and training for present and potential owners, managers and workers in caravan parks.
• Linking caravan parks with community workplaces e.g. neighbourhood centres.
• Linking caravan parks with government and community programs and funding.
• Empowering existing community networks with initiatives from caravan park residents.

Conclusion

Brisbane City Council developed a strategy based on partnerships and collaboration. It links all levels of government with residents, community organisations and the caravan park industry. This approach addresses challenges and elicits responses. It develops its own momentum for change. It is an approach designed to build partnerships, solve problems and draw people together.