Shellharbour City Council’s Safer Communities Campaign - Engaging Community and Encouraging Participation for a Safer Community

Sloan NL¹*, Millgate MG¹*, Campbell L¹*

1. Shellharbour City Council, NSW, Australia

One of the state’s fastest growing Councils, Shellharbour City Council encompasses new ‘prestige’ suburbs as well as long-established suburbs with low socio-economic indicators. The unique challenges posed by these disparate communities are being addressed by a variety of programs aimed at engaging the community to increase community participation, create connections and build attachments. Programs include the Safer Warilla Project, the Good Neighbour Scheme and the Women for a Safer Community group.

The Safer Warilla project operates in a community typified by long-term unemployment, low income levels and relatively high crime. The project encourages community participation through the production of a positive newsletter highlighting opportunities to participate in the community; through free community barbeques and activities; and through programs designed to connect individuals. The project particularly aims at promoting intergenerational activities to increase understanding across generations, and demystify youth culture.

The Good Neighbour Scheme is part of a joint venture being undertaken in partnership with NRMA Insurance Limited and NSW Police. The scheme operates to create ‘neighbourhoods’ within suburbs. It aims to increase connections by encouraging community participation in various projects. The nature of the projects may vary over suburbs, as the local community is consulted to decide what project they would like to be involved in. The scheme Coordinator acts as a facilitator, making each suburb’s projects possible but allowing local communities to dictate their own project.

The Women for a Safer Community group is comprised of service providers and women from the local community. The group aims to address women’s safety issues through projects in which all women are encouraged to participate. The fundamental tenet of the group is that a community which is safe for women is safe for everyone.

In addition the presentation will highlight other projects which seek to engage the community, with the overall objective of highlighting community safety as a participatory practice.

Click here to view the full paper