The Hawkesbury Social Planning Project was designed to enable community organisations and residents to identify and rank their concerns and then communicate them directly to Council. This feedback informs decision makers about the need for resources and the provision of specific services and facilities.
The project was developed over a two year period forming part of Council’s Management Planning Process during 2001/2002.
Located on Sydney’s north west fringe, the City of Hawkesbury has a growing population of 62,000 people. Council initiated a series of community meetings, workshops, forums, newsletters and surveys to develop a planning strategy able to meet the needs of disadvantaged groups within the community.
Targeted groups included children, young people, older people, people with disabilities, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, indigenous Australians and women.
Council prepared a number of core planning documents and established the infrastructure to support an annual community planning and communication strategy linked to its management plan. Several initiatives, including ongoing services and programs have already been set up, with more planned in the year ahead. Special library, recreation, road safety and cultural programs, plus events for children are just some of the initiatives already in place.
The project established seven key goals which included promoting equity, community participation and partnerships, and encouraging community harmony. It has provided Council with the planning tools necessary to listen and respond to recommendations from residents about improving ‘quality of life’ outcomes. It has also brought about a changed approach to social planning and engendered recognition that ‘good’ social planning is everybody’s business.
For further information contact Joseph Litwin, Manager Community Services, on (02) 4560 4428.
