Strategic Community Plan
The Strategic Community Plan 2023-2033 (SCP) is the outcome of the major review of Shire’s Strategic Community Plan adopted in 2017 and reviewed in 2020. The review has primarily focused on identifying the needs and priorities of the community.
We now invite the community to provide comment on how we implement the new plan through the Shire's Corporate Plan.
We now invite the community to provide comment on how we implement the new plan through the Shire's Corporate Plan.
Community Vision
Community input supported the development of a revised vision statement for the community through the community stakeholder workshop.
A vision statement is a crucial foundation for long term planning. It sets out the philosophy, values, and priorities of the plan and to provide it with context and intent. This vision statement evolved from the community engagement workshop, and was supported by a majority of those present.
2033 Vision:
A vision statement is a crucial foundation for long term planning. It sets out the philosophy, values, and priorities of the plan and to provide it with context and intent. This vision statement evolved from the community engagement workshop, and was supported by a majority of those present.
2033 Vision:
Connecting our cultures, striving for prosperity, celebrating the spirit of country and community
Focus Areas
To reach the vision, the plan focuses the organisation on three strategic focus areas. These focus areas group the ten goals into an integrated approach.
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Liveability
Liveable Communities
Improving liveability through social, recreational and economic opportunities, and addressing quality of life factors.
Goals 1. Safe Communities 2. Healthy Communities 3. Access to housing 4. Access to education 5. Access to employment |
Connectivity
Connected Communities
Improving physical and social connectivity within the Shire. Improving connectivity with family friends and services in Perth and further afield through strong communication and travel links.
Goals 6. Connecting local places 7. Connecting to the world 8. Connecting cultures |
Sustainability
Sustainable Communities
The spectacular natural environment and relaxed lifestyle are some of the main attractions of living here. It is important that a balance is maintained so the region is able to grow and thrive without compromising these lifestyle benefits.
Goals 9. Protecting country 10. Community-driven Leadership |
10 Reasons to be here 📍
We've collected & compiled your priorities into 10 achievable goals to improve liveability, connectivity and sustainability.
Expand on those goals below for more information
Expand on those goals below for more information
Ten Goals for the next ten years
1 Safe Communities
Goal: A community where we feel safe
Our community’s aspirations:
Background:
Personal safety is primarily influenced by crime, the risk of traffic accidents and natural hazards. Crime may lead to a loss of possessions, physical suffering, stress and anxiety.
Community safety was the highest priority in the 2021 Community Perception Survey (Markyt Community Priorities).
The issue of safety and security can be both real and perceived and that a number of initiatives need to be put in place to respond and manage this. This focus will need to be ongoing into the future if people are to move past the perception/reality of the Shire towns being unsafe in certain areas, and/or unsafe at night. This will be a combination of management strategies, public realm improvements/additions and ongoing communication and community education/awareness.
Current Shire Role:
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
Our community’s aspirations:
- Towns where people feel safe and that encourage healthily vibrate active lives
- Community awareness and understanding of how to prevent crime and maintain and improve safety
- Families are supported to improve the outcomes for children and young people helping people make the right choices
- Reduced incidence of alcohol and drug related harm
Background:
Personal safety is primarily influenced by crime, the risk of traffic accidents and natural hazards. Crime may lead to a loss of possessions, physical suffering, stress and anxiety.
Community safety was the highest priority in the 2021 Community Perception Survey (Markyt Community Priorities).
The issue of safety and security can be both real and perceived and that a number of initiatives need to be put in place to respond and manage this. This focus will need to be ongoing into the future if people are to move past the perception/reality of the Shire towns being unsafe in certain areas, and/or unsafe at night. This will be a combination of management strategies, public realm improvements/additions and ongoing communication and community education/awareness.
Current Shire Role:
- Partner to address all aspects of community safety, ranging from crime prevention to animal control and emergency management.
- Provide CCTV
- Fund youth partnerships
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
2 Healthy Communities
Goal: Our community lives healthy lifestyles and has access to quality healthcare, sporting, recreation and leisure activities
Our community’s aspirations:
Background:
Health is one of the most valuable aspects of a person’s life. It enables active participation in social life and in the labour market. Health is also influenced by a good work-life balance as well as high environmental quality. Local governments are required to develop Public Health Plans
Identify public health needs within the community
Establish public health priorities
Promote, improve and protect public health
Provide appropriate local government public health services
Respond to public health concerns
Current Shire Role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
- People make active and healthy lifestyle choices
- Facilities and infrastructure support community to make better choices (gyms, swimming pools etc.).
- Access to health and well-being services
Background:
Health is one of the most valuable aspects of a person’s life. It enables active participation in social life and in the labour market. Health is also influenced by a good work-life balance as well as high environmental quality. Local governments are required to develop Public Health Plans
Identify public health needs within the community
Establish public health priorities
Promote, improve and protect public health
Provide appropriate local government public health services
Respond to public health concerns
Current Shire Role:
- Provide sporting, recreation and leisure facilities, such as pools, ovals, parks and playgrounds.
- Identify the public health needs of the local government district
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
3 Access to Housing
Goal: There are housing opportunities for everyone
Our community’s aspirations:
Background:
Housing is essential to meet basic needs, such as shelter. Housing should offer a place to sleep and rest where people feel safe and have privacy and personal space; somewhere they can raise a family.
The availability of accessible housing allows for communities to prosper by encouraging the development of a sense of identity and belonging tied to home and place. This enables the emergence of cohesive societies and provides a working framework for further financial and economic development.
Current Shire Role:
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
- There is enough housing to meet social and economic demand
- There is a different housing options to meet different peoples needs
- Staff don’t have to sleep in a car
- I can afford to live here
Background:
Housing is essential to meet basic needs, such as shelter. Housing should offer a place to sleep and rest where people feel safe and have privacy and personal space; somewhere they can raise a family.
The availability of accessible housing allows for communities to prosper by encouraging the development of a sense of identity and belonging tied to home and place. This enables the emergence of cohesive societies and provides a working framework for further financial and economic development.
Current Shire Role:
- Provide Shire staff housing as required
- Provide land use planning, zoning of land through the local planning scheme
- Advocate for development in the town centres
- Advocate for additional housing
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
4 Access to Education
Goal: Residents have access appropriate education and training opportunities so they can live and work in the Shire.
Our community’s aspirations:
Background:
Education opens opportunities for development and helps people to better cope with social and economic changes. Prospects on the labour market and the possibilities for professional fulfilment and advancement are to a large extent determined by education.
Current Shire Role:
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
- My child has the same educational opportunities as if we moved to Perth
- Young people able to stay in the East Kimberley and undertake additional education and training
- Skill and training that is linked to future career opportunities
Background:
Education opens opportunities for development and helps people to better cope with social and economic changes. Prospects on the labour market and the possibilities for professional fulfilment and advancement are to a large extent determined by education.
Current Shire Role:
- Advocating for education and training opportunities in the Shire
- Partner with business to advocate for learning opportunities that will assist meeting future needs
- Advocating and supporting improved access to early years education such as childcare
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
5 Access to Employment
Goal: Residents can engage in meaningful productive employment and strive for prosperity
Our community’s aspirations:
Background:
Income and jobs allow people to cover their basic needs and provide opportunities to fulfil personal wishes. They allow people to accumulate wealth, helping them to be more resistant in times of economic crisis.
Current Shire Role:
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
- Business is attracted to the Shire, creating more local jobs.
- Ability to work - childcare, skills, training, employment opportunities
- Direct and targeted actions to change the fundamental situation
Background:
Income and jobs allow people to cover their basic needs and provide opportunities to fulfil personal wishes. They allow people to accumulate wealth, helping them to be more resistant in times of economic crisis.
Current Shire Role:
- Support greater participation of local Aboriginal people in the workforce
- Provide work experience placements
- Undertake construction projects that include local content
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
6 Connecting Local Places
Goal: Places are connected, accessible and well maintained
Our community’s aspirations:
Background:
Mobility is necessary for work and leisure activities. For many people a good transportation network is important to satisfy needs such as shopping, education and recreation.
Current Shire Role:
- Places are connected by safe, accessible, well maintained roads, footpaths, cycle ways and trails.
- Well maintained sealed roads (fix the potholes)
- Streets are places we enjoy not just about travelling from point A to B
- Access to playgrounds, parks & reserves
- Children can safely cycle to and from school. Ability to push a pram home safely from the shops
Background:
Mobility is necessary for work and leisure activities. For many people a good transportation network is important to satisfy needs such as shopping, education and recreation.
Current Shire Role:
- Maintenance of roads, paths and trails
- Connecting up the footpath and trails networks
- Disability access and inclusion
- Improve streetscapes and promote greater vibrancy and activity within town centres
Shire's future role:
Ensure places are connected by safe, accessible and well-maintained roads, footpaths, cycle ways and trails.
Ensure places are connected by safe, accessible and well-maintained roads, footpaths, cycle ways and trails.
7 Connecting to the World
Goal: Creating access and turning our remoteness into a positive experience
Our community can connect to friends and family outside the Shire. People and business can access markets and services. Our remoteness is a positive experience
Our community can connect to friends and family outside the Shire. People and business can access markets and services. Our remoteness is a positive experience
Our community’s aspirations:
Background:
Living in a remote and sparsely populated area causes a host of socio-economic challenges. market isolation, inadequate access to goods and services, lower wages, unemployment or out-migration, high costs of travel and higher costs of living.
A lack of resufficient demand often deters private-sector providers from offering connections. Where commercial transport struggles to provide these, governments often step in. Support takes the form of either public service provision or subsidies.
Connectivity has become a defining feature of the modern economy. This is reflected in the increasing demand for resources to be invested in linking communities, economies and countries. Improving connectivity increases productivity, competition, and market opportunities.
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
- Living in our remote Shire doesn't mean you are cut off
- Connections to family and families
- Connections to market
- Connections to services
- People and goods are able to move in and out of the East Kimberley
Background:
Living in a remote and sparsely populated area causes a host of socio-economic challenges. market isolation, inadequate access to goods and services, lower wages, unemployment or out-migration, high costs of travel and higher costs of living.
A lack of resufficient demand often deters private-sector providers from offering connections. Where commercial transport struggles to provide these, governments often step in. Support takes the form of either public service provision or subsidies.
Connectivity has become a defining feature of the modern economy. This is reflected in the increasing demand for resources to be invested in linking communities, economies and countries. Improving connectivity increases productivity, competition, and market opportunities.
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
8 Connecting our Cultures
Goal: A resilient connected community where our rich culture and heritage is celebrated
Our community’s aspirations:
Background:
Cultural offers enable the maintenance of social contacts, the development of networks and offers possibilities for recreational activities. Culture and leisure also includes clubs and sport facilities.
The Shire is culturally diverse with people from many backgrounds and cultures including Korean and Pilipino. Around a third of the Shire’s population identifies as Aboriginal.
Current Shire Role:
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
- Residents are connected socially
- Active and resilient community groups and volunteers
- Greater participation in community activities
- a unified community that incorporates the needs of all cultures and generations
- Culture is visible and celebrated
Background:
Cultural offers enable the maintenance of social contacts, the development of networks and offers possibilities for recreational activities. Culture and leisure also includes clubs and sport facilities.
The Shire is culturally diverse with people from many backgrounds and cultures including Korean and Pilipino. Around a third of the Shire’s population identifies as Aboriginal.
Current Shire Role:
- Support events and activities that encourage a sense of identity, belonging and cultural diversity
- Promote and share our unique culture and history and protect the community’s heritage assets
- Work with partners to inspire young people to become engaged in their families, schools and communities
- Support and build capacity of community groups and clubs through community grants programs, advice and management of Shire reserves and facilities
Shire's future role:
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
9 Conserving Country
Goal: Conserve the Shire’s unique natural environment for the enjoyment of current and future generations
Our community’s aspirations:
Background:
The spectacular natural environment and relaxed lifestyle are some of the main attractions of living here. It is important that a balance is maintained so that the region is able to grow and thrive without compromising these lifestyle benefits.
Many people appreciate pleasant and natural surroundings in their place of residence and for their leisure time. Both are influenced by the quality of the local environment. An environment that is contaminated with pollutants and noise affects the mental and physical health of the population.
Sustainable resource management can be defined as the application of sustainable practices by managing resources in a way that will benefit current and future generations. Simply put, it means managing resources in a way that doesn't impact future generations.
Current Shire Role:
Shire's future role:
The Shire will develop and implement a sustainable local planning framework to protect our unique environment, while meeting current and future community land use needs.
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
- The natural wilderness continues to contribute to our lifestyle and is a major attraction for visitors
- Ability to explore our natural environment close to home
- Improved environmental management and biodiversity outcomes
- We all respect and care for the environment
- Reduce carbon footprint
- Climate-resilient infrastructure
- Mining and resource activities have a long-term positive impact on community and the environment.
Background:
The spectacular natural environment and relaxed lifestyle are some of the main attractions of living here. It is important that a balance is maintained so that the region is able to grow and thrive without compromising these lifestyle benefits.
Many people appreciate pleasant and natural surroundings in their place of residence and for their leisure time. Both are influenced by the quality of the local environment. An environment that is contaminated with pollutants and noise affects the mental and physical health of the population.
Sustainable resource management can be defined as the application of sustainable practices by managing resources in a way that will benefit current and future generations. Simply put, it means managing resources in a way that doesn't impact future generations.
Current Shire Role:
- Shire has recreational and conservation reserves
- Partner to implement programs to manage land, fire, pathogens, introduced animals and weeds
- All domestic waste collection is deposited into landfill
- Investigating options to improve energy efficiency
- Supporting future industry infrastructure (E.g. Electric car charging station in streetscapes)
Shire's future role:
The Shire will develop and implement a sustainable local planning framework to protect our unique environment, while meeting current and future community land use needs.
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
10 Sustainable Leadership
Goal: Our leaders are innovative, collaborative and put the long term needs of the community at the heart of decision making
Our community’s aspirations:
The Shire is seen as the voice of the people of the East Kimberley and they expect it to work in their best interests. Community expect the Shire to develop and manage local laws and policies for the benefit of the community. A lack of engagement and communication has lead to situations where residents have felt decisions have not been in their best interest.
Current Shire Role:
Shire's future role:
The Shire will lead positive change in the community and support the development of future community leaders.
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
- Embracing new technology
- More opportunities for community to get involved and have a say about what is happening in town.
- More communication about what the Shire is doing and want Councillors are doing in return for their sitting fees.
- Attract more funding and investment
The Shire is seen as the voice of the people of the East Kimberley and they expect it to work in their best interests. Community expect the Shire to develop and manage local laws and policies for the benefit of the community. A lack of engagement and communication has lead to situations where residents have felt decisions have not been in their best interest.
Current Shire Role:
Shire's future role:
The Shire will lead positive change in the community and support the development of future community leaders.
Tell us what you think the Shire's role should be in this space in the future
