What is Community Development?

    Tweed Shire Council is working toward building safe, healthy and more inclusive communities. Community Development does this by working alongside community groups, non-profits, service providers and other levels of government on programs that aim to strengthen our community.

    Programs range from events and activities that promote inclusion such as Youth Week, International Day of Disability, and Reconciliation Action Week through to supporting not-for-profit groups with financial grants and provision of community facilities.

    Secondly, in an effort to build safe, healthy and more inclusive communities, Council works collaboratively with the community as an active participant in over 40 community networks, forums and committees on an array of topics including homelessness, domestic violence, community halls and public art. It also acts as an advocate to other levels of government or agencies on topics outside of the direct role of Council.

    Finally, Community Development seeks to ensure Council decision making and operations reflects the principles of equity and fairness. It achieves this in a number of ways including by hosting four Advisory Committees that help to inform decision-making and by creating policies and plans that promote equity and fairness such as the Homelessness Policy, Reconciliation Action Plan, Disability Access and Inclusion Plan and Cultural Plan.

    Who can have their say on the Community Development Strategy?

    Everyone is encouraged to provide their feedback. This includes individual residents, representatives from community service organisations, associations and relevant service providers.