Quality of LIfe

The Study found that the quality of life is likely to be at most risk for those people on low incomes, residing in lower socio-economic pockets in the western areas of Unley and Mitcham and in Marion east/central and Marion north.

In particular

• People who are aged and frail (some of whom are 'asset rich, income poor' struggling to maintain the family home)
• People with a disability (intellectual and or physical) and their carers
• People with mental health problems of living in dysfunctional relationships
• Aboriginal people (particularly in Marion)
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, particularly new immigrants and refugees
• Young people, disconnected from family or educational support
• Parents with young children

Some of the key issues are

• Facilitating access to information and support and overcoming isolation due to lack of money, transport or as a result of cultural barriers
• Support for older people to 'age in place' and for those with a disability, including social options and respite for carers
• Early intervention and support for families with young children
• An increasing presence of people with mental health issues, often with multiple and complex needs, including residents in supported residential facilities (boarding houses)
• The well documented socio-economic disadvantage and poor health outcomes for Aboriginal people applies to the resident population in the region
• Increasing numbers of new immigrants and refugees moving in to Marion central and Mitcham west areas with high levels of need and support
• The significant contribution that volunteers make to community well being is acknowledged in the Study and it is suggested that maintaining a suitably skilled volunteer base into the future will be a challenge.

Of significant concern is the planned relocation of the Southern Primary Health Inner Southern Health Service to Marion and the potential for negative impact on access to services in this geographic location of high need. The Study highlights the significant level of disadvantage in the corridor around South Road and the importance for multi agency solutions to address the high levels of need.

Taken from Inner Southern Social Planning Alliance Regional Study.
Click here to see a PDF copy of the Study