Hawkesbury City Council plays an integral role in the creation and support of various community partnerships in the Hawkesbury to benefit the local community.
"We are committed to continue to build relationships with community groups to further progress and develop these strategic partnerships," the Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Sarah McMahon said.
"Given Council's ongoing commitment to working in partnership with local community services, it was very disheartening this week to see that one local organisation has chosen to use their online platform to degrade the excellent work of Council and our staff, the majority of whom are local residents. I cannot condone this culture of online abuse and hope that it no longer continues in the Hawkesbury. I firmly believe issues or misunderstandings can and should be resolved with a professional conversation, not online harassment."
Council works with a range of community service organisations to support residents in need and maintains open communication with these groups.
"Our Community Planning and Partnerships team works with local and regional services to make sure that people can access assistance when they need it and where they need it," Mayor McMahon said.
"There are several local organisations that deliver this assistance from Council's community centres to support the wellbeing of our community.
"Over decades, Council has supported local community organisations in many ways, including subsidising the rent of services that operate from Council owned buildings so that more of the funding that they receive can be directed to providing services to our community," Mayor McMahon said.
"We know that the Community Planning and Partnerships team is doing a great job. This is demonstrated through positive feedback received at our various programs and events including the Community Hubs programs in Bowen Mountain, Colo Heights, Wilberforce and St Albans.
"At these Hubs, Council offers place-based access to mental health, wellbeing support and social services to help our communities to recover from natural disasters and build resilience for the future."
Council is proud of its strong record in disaster recovery and resilience within the local community, including:
- supporting service providers and interagencies to develop projects
- assisting community groups and organisations with community programs
- connecting the community to local food and emergency support services
- Community Learning Hub and wellbeing recovery programs
- support for disaster preparation and mental health services available.
"Grant funding is another way in which we help our community groups. Council allocates over $60,000 of small grants funding annually to help community organisations to deliver programs that will build connections and resilience in our communities," Mayor McMahon said.
Council also works with key agencies including Merana Community Aboriginal Association for the Hawkesbury, North Richmond Community Centre, Hope4U and The Women's Cottage to host events that celebrate diversity and commemorate days of significance such as NAIDOC Day, YouthFest, the Hope Walk, and Reclaim the Night.
"Whilst Council can facilitate partnerships to increase the level of funding investment by State and Federal agencies in the Hawkesbury, it cannot and does not do this work alone," Mayor McMahon said.
"Council will continue to create opportunities for local services to partner with Council and with each other to ensure that the range of services our community needs are available, accessible and retained in the Hawkesbury."
