The Dispute Settlement Centre’s Community Engagement program work with community groups to teach skills in conflict management and dispute prevention.

Activities provided can include:

  • information sessions on DSCV services
  • panel discussions on neighbourhood rights and responsibilities
  • workshops with community members on managing difficult conversations, and negotiation techniques.

We can also work in partnership with local government or community groups to run facilitated meetings and public forums for community groups around such things as:

  • public safety concerns
  • parking issues around schools / places of worship
  • sharing of resources (like parks and halls) between community organisations
  • planning days for community networks
  • families facing changing care / accommodation needs of elderly relatives.

Contact your nearest DSCV office (External link) to find out how we can work with you and your organisation.

Previous workshops

If you missed one of our workshops, or would like to watch it again, you can view it below or visit the DSCV YouTube Channel (External link).

 

Neighbourhood disputes talk with Moreland Library

Webinar held on 30 July 2021

Our Community Engagement Manager talks to an audience from Moreland library (External link) about common neighbourhood complaint.

 

 

When Delay Brings Dismay

Webinar held on 30 April 2021 

Have you ever had that email you have been dreading to reply to? The neighbour who demands you cut your tree back? The old friend you haven’t spoken to in years (and you still owe them money)? So many neighbourhood disputes could have been prevented with a quick reply.

Prompted by “email debt forgiveness day” we tackled procrastination in communication in this panel discussion.

 

 

How mediation changed due to COVID-19

Webinar held on 19 May 2021

Hear from a panel of mediators who deal with neighbourhood, rent and building disputes about the recent changes to mediation. What can you expect if you need to participate in a mediation? What impact has COVID-19 had on this activity that is traditionally conducted face-to-face.

Learn about:

  • how mediation worked in the pre-COVID era
  • the changes made during COVID
  • how these changes have affected the way people negotiate
  • what to expect when participating in a mediation.

Our Panel:

Rebecca McElvie, Mediation Coordinator, Victorian Small Business Commissioner

Helen Skinner, Manager Gippsland Region - Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV)

Kelly Charlton, Manager Fast Track Mediation Hearing program at VCAT

Daniel Grinstein, Lead Officer, Residential Services Team at DSCV

Moderated by David Leonard, Manager of Community Engagement at DSCV

 

 

Neighbourhood disputes

Webinar held on 21 May 2021

What goes into making a good neighbour? How do I change things if we got off on the wrong foot? How do I get my neighbour onside when I need them to fix something?

With so many Victorians now working from home, neighbourhood relations are more important than ever. The tree and fence dispute resolvers from Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria will take you through these questions and more. Find out what to do when your tree falls through the fence or your neighbours nocturnal activities become too much to bear.