By BEN CAMERON
ONE in four children in Cardinia will experience bullying during their early years of high school according to a new health report commissioned by the council.
The Child and Family Plan 2014-2016, adopted by Cardina shire councillors on Monday night, is designed to ensure all children within the shire “stay healthy and happy, connected, realise their potential, are safe and achieve economic wellbeing”.
However the plan revealed concerns with bullying for local students.
“During grades 5 and 6 in Cardinia shire, one in every 10 children report being bullied which is below the state but increases by year 7, 8 and 9 to one in every four report being bullied compared to one in every five state-wide,” the report found.
It also revealed children and young people witnessed 42 per cent of family violence incidents in the shire in 2011-2012.
With the number of births set to increase “significantly over the next seven – 10 years” the plan revealed:
* Family violence is escalating at a “considerable rate”;
* Financial hardship is an “emerging trend”;
* The greatest increase in the population will be among children aged up to four and between five and nine.
* Demand for Centrelink benefits is increasing;
* Concerns with obstetrics services, hospitals, TAFEs or universities in the municipality.
The council believes the action plan will allow it to better serve its children and families.
“Through this plan, Cardinia Shire Council and its local service partners will be better placed in municipal planning for the early and middle years,” it found.
The plan was made available for public review for six weeks and received no suggested changes.
