Funded under the NSW Government Community Builders Program the Listening@Lakemba Project aims to build capacity in the local area through hosting a series of community consultations, interviews and surveys to find out what people like about living in the local area, the pressures that themselves and families face; what they would like to see change and how together we can make those changes happen.

In October 2011 50 students from Bankstown College of TAFE interviewed householders using the Lakemba Household Survey. This was completed by 320 residents who either answered the door or completed the survey through their participation in groups hosted by various community partners. Thank you to the fabulous students from the College and their teachers for supporting the Project. The results were collated using a Data Collection Frame designed by WESTIR and formed the basis of a number of issues identified for discussion at the Community Forum. Thank you to WESTIR and particularly to Niro Kandasamy for such valuable input and guidance to the project.

On the 30th November 2011 nearly 180 people attended the Listening@Lakemba Community Forum and Lunch hosted by the Centre.  Participants at the Forum included residents and workers and it was pleasing to see the overwhelmingly positive response on the day, and through the surveys, that people really do ♥ Lakemba! Locals appreciated the multicultural nature of the suburb, loved the access to shops and services, felt safe in their community, and responded positively to social inclusion measures such as talking to neighbours and people from other cultures.

The Listening@Lakemba Report 2011 is now complete. The report was compiled by Niro Kandasamy from WESTIR and includes a summary of the household survey, consultations and Listening@Lakemba Community lunch and forum. 

At the Forum over 70 people put their names down to work with the Centre in addressing some of the issues raised through the Listening@Lakemba process. In January 2012 we will be contacting people who put down their name on a particular issue to be part of a working group that will include community members and organisations.

The top four issues identified were:
1. Social isolation of women and lack of programs and activities for women
2. Housing - lack of affordable and suitable housing, high rent & rent auctions
3. Rubbish, littering and dumping of household items on the street.
4. Lack of programs and activities for children.

THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to Listening@Lakemba being such a success.
In particular we acknowledge the support of the following partners:

WESTIR
Bankstown College of TAFE, Community Services Section
Inner South West Community Development Organisation
Jannawi Family Centre
Lakemba/Wiley Park School as Community Centre
Metro Migrant Resource Centre;
City of Canterbury Library Services;
Fraternal Society of Tripoli and Mena
Canterbury Family Support Service
Sydney South West Area Health Service
Good Beginnings
City of Canterbury
United Muslim Women’s Association.

Our next stage is "Action@Lakemba" and we hope that you will continue to be part of this as well.

Download a copy of the Report on Lakemba Consultations, Household and Organisation Survey here.