Community feedback sought for Council’s Social Plan
Armidale Dumaresq Council is seeking community input into its 2009 Social and Community Plan.
The Local Government Act (General) Regulation 1999 requires all Councils in NSW to develop a social and community plan. This is a five-year strategy and is an important planning tool for local Councils.
The Council's Community Services Manager Jane Guilfoyle said social and community plans investigate the needs of the local community, including groups that may be disadvantaged in some way.
"The aim of a Social Plan is to formulate access and equity activities that the Council and/or other government agencies can implement, and work in partnership with, to address identified needs," Ms Guilfoyle said.
The Department of Local Government put out specific guidelines to assist with the development of a social and community plan.
The Centre for Applied Research and Social Science (CARSS), University of New England, has been employed as consultants to develop a 2009 Southern New England Social and Community Plan. Four councils, Armidale Dumaresq, Guyra, Walcha and Uralla Shire are partners in the development of this Plan. Such a partnership provides an opportunity to investigate both local and regional issues.
"A series of focus groups meetings were held in Armidale in July, and a public meeting was held in the Town Hall in August," Ms Guilfoyle said. "The information gathered at the focus group meetings, and the public meeting, forms the basis of the Armidale Dumaresq Social and Community Plan.
"There were many issues raised throughout the community engagement process, and some of these issues are the responsibility of the Council, and the Council will work on addressing these issues over the five-year life of the Plan. However there were many issues raised that are not the responsibilities of local government. However it is important to raise these issues to then enable the Council to engage with other government agencies and local service providers, and to work in partnership to address any local issues."
A first draft of the Armidale Dumaresq Social and Community Plan will go on public display on Monday 26th October and Council is calling on public submissions and public comment on the draft plan. The closing date for public comments and submissions is 12 noon Wednesday 11th November.
"Public comment is very important at this stage of the development of the plan," Ms Guilfoyle said. "It is important to ensure that all the issues raised throughout the community engagement process have been captured."
The draft plan will be on public display in the Council's Administration Building in Rusden Street, the Library, and the Visitors Information Centre. A copy of the plan is available electronically, please call Ms Jane Guilfoyle on 6770 3688 or via email on jguilfoyle@armidale.nsw.gov.au
For further information contact Jane Guilfoyle on 6770 3688.
Contact details
Jane Guilfoyle
Tel: 02 6770 3688
jguilfoyle@armidale.nsw.gov.au
