[Sub ID 4462] Better access to driving lessons (Donna Corbyn)

Submission ID: 4462
Organisation name: Shoalhaven City Council
Contact name: Ms Donna Corbyn
State: NSW
Contact email: Donna.Corbyn@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au
Contact number: (02) 4429

Which priority group of the Try, Test and Learn Fund does your idea support?
Young students at risk of long-term unemployment

What need or issue are you trying to address?
Transport is a major issue in the Shoalhaven LGA(Shoalhaven City Council Community Strategic Plan, State Plans, Regional Development Australia Far South Coast Plans) and other rural and regional areas.Public transport (supplied by private bus contractors) in the LGA is very limited, mostly only school bus runs and is very costly.

The LGA is socially disadvantaged and geographically isolated and has one of highest Youth Unemployment rates in New South Wales and Nationally. (ABS statistics, Dropping of the Edge Report, SEIFA Index).

Employment opportunities in the LGA require a car licence and a vehicle, all job advertisements have being licenced and car owbership as essential criteria.

My position at council constantly gets request from organsiations and community for programs/projects that provide for a young people to get a licence.

access to fully paid or subsidised free professional driving lessons and attendance/participation in the PCYC or like, safer driver course to obtain their P plate licence via an application process;supported by over 55’s mentors if needed due to no possible significant adult support,to break down the barriers faced by lack of transport for young people; to enable connections with school, study, employment,voluteering, community and social opportunities.

What is your idea?
Stage 1 – Rural & Regional Youth Drive – Future Community Connect, will provide young people with access to fully paid or subsidised free professional driving lessons and attendance/participation in the PCYC or like, safer driver course to obtain their P plate licence via an application process;supported by over 55’s mentors (from existing job network providers) if needed due to no possible significant adult support,to break down the barriers faced by lack of transport for young students/people; to enable connections with school, study, employment,voluteering,community and social opportunities.

A driving licence is a must for young people in the LGA to participate in all facets of community but especially school, study, further education,volunteering, training and employment.

Young students/people face enormous barriers to obtaining their P plate licence due to the cost of professional lessons (roughly $6000), the availability of black licenced driver supervision with cars in the LGA & due to the amount of hours required. Youth Drive – Community Connect will change the lives of young people with opportunities to break the cycle of welfare dependancy/poverty in the LGA and youth unemployment rates.

Stage 2 – Development of an Affordable Car Rent to Buy Strategy and project, based on the same lines of Affordable Housing Strategies, where a certain percentage of what an individual young student/person earns is considred to be able to purchase a car to attend and participate in all facets of community, including school, study, further education, training, volunteering and employment.

To qualify for the project, young students/ people must be attending, engaged or enrolled with a school, RTO, training institution, volunteer organisation or job network provider.