Council has adopted its Community Development Strategy 2020-23 to serve as a roadmap for community growth and inclusiveness over the next three years.
Council’s Community Services spokesperson, Cr Tracey McPhee, said preparing the strategy had been a complex task to cover the region, identify priorities, ideas, gaps and barriers.
Cr McPhee noted that the artwork chosen for the front of the document was originally created for the Childers Festival, with a local artist working with school students on the design in the lead-up to the event and then festival-goers adding to the painting during the day.
“It was a true community collaboration, just like the new strategy,” Cr McPhee said.
“The Sparrowly Group undertook the community consultation and a broad and diverse number of residents from the wider region were involved and we thank each and every one of them for their input.
“Individuals, groups, clubs and organisations; government, non-government, not for profit, businesses, families, youth, seniors, culturally diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, residents, visitors and tourists all had their say and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
“The main aim of the strategy is to provide a work plan and roadmap for Council’s community development team to work with the community and the community to work with Council, to create a community where everyone contributes, matters and belongs.”
The highlights of the strategy and the key priority areas and outcomes that the engagement uncovered were:
- Inclusiveness
- Participation
- Accessibility
- Connectivity
“These four themes will underpin all our community development initiatives and programs,” Cr McPhee said.
“Council wants to encourage our community to be inclusive, engaged and involved, valuing and respecting the contribution of all community members.
“The strategy will guide us to develop and create opportunities to participate, socially and professionally.
“We want to provide safe and accessible spaces — healthy, active, safe and non-judgemental — to grow social connections.
“Finally, it gives us a roadmap to work with the community to facilitate connectivity through referrals, events and content – to educate, upskill, partner, listen actively and, most of all, connect.”
To view the Community Development Strategy 2020-23 click here.
