In recent months, Hastings Council has been drawing up a plan ensuring community services needs will continue to be met well into the next century. Council firmly believed the best way to achieve this, and make optimum use of available resources, was to obtain extensive input for service users and providers, Government Departments and the broader community.
This input has formed the basis of Council’s Draft Community Services Plan which was placed on public exhibition in April. Residents were again invited to read the draft plan and forward their comments to Council.
“It has been an exciting process working with community representatives, service providers, Government Departments and Council staff to identify gaps in current services,” said Craig Milburn, Council’s Community Project Officer. “In developing this plan, a range of needs have been identified and strategies developed to address those needs.
“Many hours have been spent by five working groups representing a broad cross section of the community. These groups addressed specific issues related to youth services, family services, aged services, disability services and art and cultural issues.”
The plan is the first step in the development of an ongoing community services planning process over the next three years. Council’s objective is to take into account the capacity of existing services and facilities and to plan for new facilities and services beyond 2000. The plan focuses on human services including education, health, housing, transport, access and participation, accommodation, resource development, activities and advocacy. NSW Premier Bob Carr has written congratulating Council on the leading role it has taken in this initiative.
“I understand you have worked very closely with a range of State Government agencies as well as Local non Government service providers to produce this integrated planning document,” he said. “It is an example of coordinated local area planning at its best. The high priority given by the Council to social justice and community issues is to be commended”.
Stage one of the Plan was launched in late May. Stage two, involving children’s services, community facilities, Aboriginal services, issues for men and issues for women, is currently being developed. It is expected that stage two will be completed by the end of this year.
For further information contact Craig Milburn at Hastings Council, telephone (065) 830 634.
