Hawkesbury City Council is currently developing a new Social Infrastructure Strategy that will guide future decisions about the planning, delivery, funding and management of open spaces, sporting and recreation facilities, and community, and cultural facilities.
What do we mean by Social Infrastructure?
Social infrastructure is an umbrella term that includes community facilities, cultural facilities, open space, parks and recreation facilities. Figure 1 shows the different spaces and activities that are considered to be social infrastructure as part of this work. [source: The Planning Studio]
Why is Social Infrastructure important?
Social infrastructure is an important part of our everyday lives –Continue reading
Hawkesbury City Council is currently developing a new Social Infrastructure Strategy that will guide future decisions about the planning, delivery, funding and management of open spaces, sporting and recreation facilities, and community, and cultural facilities.
What do we mean by Social Infrastructure?
Social infrastructure is an umbrella term that includes community facilities, cultural facilities, open space, parks and recreation facilities. Figure 1 shows the different spaces and activities that are considered to be social infrastructure as part of this work. [source: The Planning Studio]
Why is Social Infrastructure important?
Social infrastructure is an important part of our everyday lives – from local public swimming pools, community centres and the local park, to major sporting stadiums, beaches and museums. Social infrastructure is essential to maintaining and improving the quality of life of all Australians.
Schools, sporting facilities, community centres and libraries often play central and multiple roles within our communities. This helps to build social cohesion and identity, and can help foster community resilience in times of stress, such as natural disasters.
Why do we need a Social Infrastructure Strategy?
At present, Hawkesbury City Council does not have up to date strategies or plans in place for community facilities, libraries, cultural facilities and open space and recreation. The Social Infrastructure Strategy will:
- Clarify and confirm Council’s commitment, responsibilities and expectations in the planning, funding and delivery of social infrastructure
- Ensure a strategic approach to the provision of contemporary social infrastructure and position Council for opportunities and partnerships in the provision of social infrastructure
- Understand the role social infrastructure plays in supporting community resilience
- Consider the people, places and policies, established social infrastructure benchmarks, and community expectations to understand the social infrastructure required to support the current and future needs of the Hawkesbury communities.
- Provide high level recommendations to improve the existing social infrastructure within the Hawkesbury area.
How do I find out more about the project?
Council undertook an extensive program of community workshops and pop-ups, as well as an online survey, to gain feedback on the strategy. Council is now examining this feedback, which will be considered as part of the formation of the strategy. The draft strategy will be made available to the community when it is completed.
To learn more about the strategy or if you have any questions about the project, please contact the Hawkesbury City Council via (02) 4560 4444 or council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au.
