IT’S ALL ABOUT PEOPLE SOCIAL INCLUSION IN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTEXT

Presentation on 27 October 2011 by Simon Duffy

Community Inclusion Coordinator

Hobart City Council

PEOPLE BEFORE DESIGN: A RATIONALE

Key thinking

Cities exist to meet the needs of the community

Human behaviour defines place more than built form

Social inclusion is the perfect framework

A DEFINITION OF SOCIAL INCLUSION

“…it is a fundamental right of every individual to have

the opportunity to participate equally socially,

culturally, economically, physically and politically in

society. The exercise of this right benefits everyone

and is the fundamental building block for healthy

and whole communities...”

WHY IS IT LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S JOB?

“…The primary function of local government is to

serve the needs and aspirations of its community…”

WHY IS IT LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S JOB?

Community expectation

o It is clear that Tasmanian communities have an expectation that

their Councils will deliver a range of social outcomes

o Councils clearly have a role to respond to the needs and

aspirations of their communities

Political expectation

o Australian & Tasmanian governments have set social inclusion

agendas

o Tasmanian Social Inclusion Commissioner sees local government

as critical to achieving social inclusion outcomes at the local level

WHY IS IT LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S JOB?

Organisational capacity

o We are the level of government closest to the community

o We have extraordinary capacity for a whole-of-organisation response

o We have the capacity to partner, collaborate and bring relevant

stakeholders together

WHY A SOCIAL INCLUSION STRATEGY?

o Collects together the social inclusion objectives from strategic

planning processes

o Provides a focused and strategic approach to achieving those

social objectives

o Defines a framework for responding to social inclusion issues by

frontline government

o Aligns with current national and state social agendas

o Focuses on building community capacity

o Benefits the community

HOBART CITY COUNCIL’S RESPONSE

Where it began

o The community of Hobart articulated a vision for an inclusive city

o Council had identified the need to bring all of its social objectives

together under an overarching strategy

o It was obvious that aiming for social inclusion outcomes would benefit

everyone in the community and could produce the type of city

everyone was saying they wanted

o Australian & Tasmanian governments set social inclusion agendas

o Social inclusion as a concept reflected the direction that the Council

was moving towards in the social policy realm

HOBART CITY COUNCIL’S RESPONSE

The Role of Council:

o Leadership

o Advocacy

o Management

o Connection

o Informing

o Facilitation

HOBART CITY COUNCIL’S RESPONSE

The Domains of Action:

o Community Participation

o Vibrant Places

o Affordable Living

o Effective Transport

o Community Safety

o Economic Participation

o Health & Wellbeing

BUILDING COMMUNITY

“…community is built in the interaction between hard and

soft assets; between the built form and the community that

occupies it…”

RESULTS

Item 8.1 - Building Connected Communities

Excellent organisations understand that well planned community

infrastructure can link communities, promote interaction and develop a

strong sense of neighbourhood, promote affordable living options, effective

transport and economic participation

Core practices:

Knowing your place

Working collaboratively with others

Thinking regionally

Planning cohesively

Working cohesively as an organisation

Creating accessibility

RESULTS

Item 8.2 - Building Strong & Resilient Communities

Excellent organisations understand that communities are multi-faceted and

encourage participation in community life. They value diversity and create

opportunities for shared experiences in order to build inclusive and vibrant

communities. They promote healthy lifestyles and facilitate community

safety, wellbeing and mutual support.

Core Practices:

Understanding Community

Focus on strengths as well as needs

Engaging stakeholders

Empowering community

Acknowledging and valuing diversity

Advocacy

ANY QUESTIONS?