Social Inclusion Strategy
Social inclusion in Hobart is about recognising the fundamental right of all citizens of Hobart to have the opportunity to participate fully socially, culturally, economically, physically and politically in the community. A further detailed description is contained in the Social Inclusion Strategy Social Inclusion Strategy.
Social Inclusion Policy
In recognition of the fundamental right of all citizens of Hobart to have the opportunity to participate fully socially, culturally, economically, physically and politically in the life of their community, Hobart City Council is committed to:
- Recognising that diversity in the community is one of its greatest strengths
- Acknowledging that all individuals and communities have strengths and building on them through a whole-of-community approach
- Ensuring that the needs and aspirations of the most disadvantaged people in the community are addressed in partnership with other key stakeholders
- Understanding and being informed about the community
- Engaging the community as identifiers of community needs and aspirations and participators in the responses
- Identifying and understanding the root causes of disadvantage and giving priority to supporting early intervention and prevention approaches
- Promoting and providing equity and access to all Council's activities, programs, facilities and services
- Ensuring Council practices, policies and procedures actively build social inclusion and do not contribute to social exclusion
- Utilising a whole-of-organisation approrach to addressthe barriers that exclude people from full participation in community life through the implementation of the Social Inclusion Strategy
Social Inclusion Role
There is no single approach that will build social inclusion in the community. It is a complex task and everyone has a role to play. This includes all levels of government, the community sector, business and the community itself. Local government is however ideally placed to identify and respond to strengths and opportunities in the community and assist in addressing issues as it is the level of government closest to the community. With this in mind, Hobart City Council's role in social inclusion can be defined as:
| Leadership |
Hobart has a unique role as the capital city and regional hub. Many people who live outside of the municipal area look to the Council as a key driver in addressing social issues |
| Advocacy |
There are many issues and opportunities where the Council can use its voice to advocate for outcomes that will benefit all |
| Management |
Council has a key role in the strategic planning, development and management of land, infrastructure and facilities in order to benefit the community |
| Connection |
Council has a significant lead role in bringing people and organisations together and establishing relationships in order to achieve community outcomes |
| Informing |
The Council as an organisation has access to a vast array of information, is a collector and source of information for the community and has a vital role in raising awareness on issues |
| Facilitation |
Council is in a unique position to be able to provide a broad range of support to facilitate innovative community-based initiatives that respond to local need, and may include delivery of services when there is a clear need and a lack of capacity in the community to provide the required service |
Domains Of Action
The aim of Council's Social Inclusion Strategy is that Hobart becomes a more socially inclusive city. The Social Inclusion Strategy groups the Council's actions under seven outcome domains or areas of activity:
| Community Participation |
encouraging community involvement and civic participation and valuing diversity |
| Vibrant Places |
providing spaces and linkages that support community interaction and enhance celebration of arts & culture |
| Affordable Living |
encouraging a mix of housing; homelessness responses and food security |
| Effective Transport |
supporting connected transport networks that enable people to be part of community life |
| Community Safety |
ensuring our community is strong and safe |
| Economic Participation |
supporting education and employment pathways for the whole community |
| Health & Wellbeing |
encouraging healthy connected lifstyles |
Profile of the Community of Hobart
In 2007 Hobart City Council engaged Wise Lord & Ferguson Consulting to prepare a Community Profile Community Profile of Hobart based on data from the 2001 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census. This was updated in 2008 when the 2006 Census data became available.