Cade Lucas
Seventy per cent of single parents in Wyndham Vale North are living in poverty.
That’s one of several startling statistics revealed in a new analysis by the Victorian Council of Social Servces (VCOSS) that shows Wyndham is home to some of the poorest suburbs in the state.
The ‘Mapping Poverty in Victoria’ report conducted in conjunction with economic modelling group, NATSEM, used data from the 2021 census to estimate the poverty rates among different demographics in different locations.
The report found that 800,000 people were living in poverty across the state, with 600,000 in Greater Melbourne alone.
While the statewide average of 13.3 per cent was unchanged from the previous report based on the 2016 census, poverty in Melbourne had increased, offsetting reductions in rural and regional Victoria.
This increase was particularly evident on the urban fringe, including in Wyndham, where the poverty rate of 16.1 per cent remained above the state average.
“People are living further away from services,” said VCOSS CEO Emma King of why the outer suburbs were more disadvantaged.
“Jobs are not in the local area and they have far to travel.
“People don’t have enough money to pay rent, pay for food or put petrol in the car.”
Outer suburbs are not close to public transport, things compound,” Ms King said.
Wyndham was also above the state average in all other major categories, including women, over 65’s, mortgage holders and private renters.
The north west of Wyndham was where the problems were most acute.
Along with having the highest rate of single parent poverty in Victoria, Wyndham Vale North was in the top 15 for children in poverty (31.2 per cent) and top 10 overall (24.9 per cent).
Ms King said Wyndham Vale having a lot of single parent households and poverty affecting women more than men were reasons why it was particularly hard hit.
The nearby suburbs of Tarneit South (21 per cent), Werribee East and Truganina (both 20 per cent) had the next highest poverty rates, while locations to the south and east faired better, with Point Cook South (11 per cent) recording the lowest poverty rate in Wyndham.
In a statement, Wyndham council said a range of support services were available for those in need and could be reached at: communityconnector@wyndham.vic.gov.au or 1300 023 411.
