COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Hierarchy and diversity of services
Community Development teams within the Local Government industry often carry differing roles and
titles in different Local Governments, operate under differing definitions and manage or co-ordinate a
mix of seemingly disparate services.
The information below provides a hierarchy of Community Development services, activities and
functions within Local Government and demonstrates the significant diversity of responsibility that can
and does exist across the sector. Acknowledging this diversity in the transition planning will be
important as it will reflect the uniqueness of communities.
1.0
Strategic Community Plan
This legislated strategic document contains the community’s aspirations which are to be
realised through the more detailed plans of Community Development (under 4.0 below).
2.0
The role of Community Development (or Community Services)
Broadly, the role of Community Development teams is to nurture the development of social
capital and to build strong communities that have the capacity to meet the needs and
aspirations of their own community, leading toward quality and fulfilling lives for all.
3.0
Community Development Broad Objectives
These objectives, or areas of focus, fulfil the role and ultimate community development
outcomes of Local Government within the community:
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Personal development and wellbeing
To connect people to experiences, services, and facilities that enhance their physical,
social, cultural and overall health and development.
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Community infrastructure
To plan, develop and manage community infrastructure and facilities that meet the
social, recreational, educational, cultural, community service, housing and transport
needs of the community.
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Community participation
To encourage and facilitate community involvement and inclusion through
consultation, improved access and information and recognition of achievements.
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Place activation
To create vibrant and meaningful community hubs as places of social interaction,
creativity and economic vitality.
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Relationships building and connections
To build self-reliant community organisations and develop mutually beneficial
partnerships between community, government, non-government, business and
residents.
4.0
Community Development Specific Purpose Plans
Plans and strategies that realise the Community’s aspirations can include:
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5.0
Youth Development Strategy
Active Ageing/Seniors Strategy
Sport, Recreation, Leisure Strategy
Culture and the Arts Strategy
Library and Information Services Strategic Plan
Community Safety Strategy (including Fire and Emergency Plans)
Learning City Strategy
Early Years and Families Strategy
Community Infrastructure Plan
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
Reconciliation Action Plan
Facilities Management Strategies
Community Development Target Groups/Stakeholders
Populations:
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Early years, Children and families
Young people
Adults
Seniors
People with disabilities
People of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Residents, visitors;
Networks, community groups, associations, clubs;
Neighbourhoods, geographic communities, communities of interest, relational communities,
virtual communities;
Institutions and professional establishments (schools, hospitals, churches)
Government and non-government services and organisations;
Businesses and commercial enterprise.
6.0
Community Services
6.1
Community support services
HACC Services
Residential care
Commonwealth programs e.g. Seniors ACHA
Long Day Child Care / Out of School Hours Care
Youth Services (e.g. family and youth counselling)
Community transport
Women’s Health Services
Refuges and crisis care
Development of the ‘welfare’ not for profit sector
6.2
Community Capacity Building: Programs that build community capacity
Sport and Recreation
Healthy lifestyles and health promotion (e.g. Act Belong Commit)
Culture and the Arts
Youth development
Active Ageing / Age Friendly City
Learning City
Reconciliation Action Plan
Disability Access and Inclusion Programs
Neighbourhood Watch / Community Safety Programs
Museums and community heritage programs
Programs for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse populations
Community empowerment – Community Grants; Community run events.
Local Government events
Volunteer Resources Centre
6.3
Community infrastructure planning
Community and leisure facilities feasibiltiy and business case studies
Community infrastructure planning
Community capital grants
6.4
Libraries and information services
Public libraries
Resource centres
6.5
Community / Leisure Facilities Management (by LG, or others on behalf of LG)
Public halls and community centres
Sports ovals / reserves, clubrooms.
Sporting complexes / leisure centres
Aquatic centres
Contemporary, performing arts and cultural centres
Visitors / tourist centres / museums
6.6
Community Safety
Community safety and crime preventions programs e.g. Neighbourhood watch; Crime
prevention through environmental design; Seniors safety; Graffiti paint out.
Community security / safety patrols
Security of Local Government assets
Rangers / parking
Fire services / Bushfire brigades
Emergency Services
6.7
Economic Development
7.0
Organisational structure and systems
8.0
Annual operating plans/team plans
Programs, services, staffing and funding resources needed, informing the annual budget.
Community Development – Diversity of Services | Page 5