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LOCAL GOVERNMENT

A number of local governments have also taken the initiative to develop indicators about the progress of their local communities. Most of these projects aim to provide residents with statistical information about their local community and how their neighbourhoods are performing against a number of well-being benchmarks. This is becoming a wide-spread approach for local governments. For example, in NSW local governments are required to report on the state of their communities through strategic plans that outline outcomes, objectives and ways to measure progress towards benchmarks.

It is impossible to represent all the work done of this type, but a few examples of these kinds of initiatives are listed here. For instance, Brisbane City Council’s ‘Living in Brisbane 2026’ presents the community’s long-term plan to tackle issues associated with population pressures, climate change and skill shortages. Hurstville City Council’s ‘Community strategic plan’ focuses on the four broad goals of social diversity, prosperity, sustainability and leadership.

Another example is that of Penrith City Council who are currently in the process of establishing a set of liveability indicators for their community. The aim is to measure liveability outcomes for particular areas of interest to the community. Penrith City Council is also leading a project to develop a nationally consistent indicator set with the support of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Local Government (see Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government, 2012). Penrith also successfully put forward a motion to the June 2012 Local Government National Assembly to support investigation into a national community indicator framework for local government (see Australia Local Government Association, 2012). The ABS supports the aspiration for a nationally consistent approach to Local Government, particularly where this allows comparison with state and national indicator frameworks.

The Sydney City Council has also taken steps to develop a community indicator framework for the city, aiming to measure successful, integrated and resilient communities. Finally, Wyndham City Council made a submission to the MAP consultation detailing aspirations for the four MAP domains based on their understanding of their community’s concerns.

Living in Brisbane 2026 – vision themes

Society		Economy		Environment		Governance
Friendly, safe city Active, healthy city Vibrant, creative city		Smart, prosperous city		Clean, green city Well-designed, subtropical city Accessible, connected city		Regional and world city

Society		Economy		Environment		Governance
Social and cultural development Creating a diverse, harmonious and inclusive city that provides a range of social, cultural, educational and leisure opportunities		Economic prosperity Increasing Hurstville’s level of income and capital, and distributing this wealth to the community in the form of local facilities, services and jobs		Environmental sustainability Protecting and improving the city’s natural and built environments and cultural assets for the health, wellbeing and benefit of current and future residents		Civic leadership A highly effective, efficient and accountable organisation which engages with the community to provide responsive and relevant services

Society		Economy		Environment		Governance
Education Health Housing Inclusion Leisure and recreation Mental health Open spaces Safety Sense of place		Business diversity and health Employment Mobility		Air quality Biodiversity Climate change and adaptation Energy Land Use Noise Waste and recycling Water Waterways		Communication and influence Ethical and equitable Infrastructure Provision of services

Society		Economy		Environment		Governance
Healthy, safe and inclusive communities Culturally rich and vibrant communities		Dynamic, resilient local economies		Sustainable built and natural environments		Democratic and engaged communities

Society		Economy		Environment		Governance
Health Education and training Work Housing Financial hardship Families and communities Crime Transport		National wealth National income Productivity		Land Water Biodiversity Human settlements Estuaries and oceans Contributions to international concerns		Human rights Law and justice Administration of government Civic participation Democratic process Local government Regulation of public and private institutions