Rockhampton Regional Council’s Community Programs team provides a range of developmental support to individuals, groups and communities across the Rockhampton Region, with particular emphasis on areas with identified service/infrastructure gaps and localities with emerging social issues impacting community wellbeing. The service delivery model is based on a community development approach which involves working with a range of stakeholders across various levels and sectors to achieve positive community outcomes and social change.
The different stakeholders and sectors which the Community Programs team work with include:
- Whole of Council: To enhance communication and awareness of community needs across all levels (elected members, management, staff, cross-departments/sections) for better planning of services, facilities and infrastructure.
- Residents: To link them with other people and groups that share similar needs and interests (re for mutual support and collective action) and to resources, programs and organisations that can assist them.
- Community Groups and Organisations: To develop their capacity to be self sustaining and responsive to changes in the social, political and economic environment.
- A Network of Groups and Organisations: To facilitate opportunities to work together and to collaborate around the planning and coordination of human services and community facilities.
- All Levels of Government, Professional / Peak Bodies and the Corporate / Business Sector: To increase their awareness of Regional characteristics, trends, needs and aspirations, so that they can improve their service delivery to residents in the Region.
- All of the above: To effectively work together to identify the needs, resources and aspirations of the Region, and to develop effective responses that enhance the quality of life of residents and particular target groups.
View the Community Engagement Framework and Policy.
Funding
The Program has a service agreement with the Queensland State Government’s Department of Communities which provides funding to employ one fulltime Community Development Officer within a team of other Community Development Officers who work across the Region.
Key Community Programs Outcomes
- Building robust partnerships with key representative organisations, community groups and service providers to provide effective programs and services to individuals, families, groups and communities in the Region.
- Ensuring appropriate services reach those most in need, such as those experiencing low socio-economic status, or geographic and social isolation.
Key Activities
- Information gathering and dissemination;
- Networking and community partnership development;
- Community liaison, consultation and engagement;
- Advocacy and awareness raising;
- Identifying funding and resource opportunities;
- Research and submission writing;
- Community and social planning (via a CD context), including community profiling, resource mapping, needs analysis, and action strategies;
- Community / Human services development and coordination (re facilitating coordinated responses to identified community needs and service gaps);
- Social policy development;
- Capacity building / skills development for community groups (re grants writing, how to develop a strategic plan, running an effective committee)
- Assisting with the establishment and development of community based organisations, support groups and networks (to address identified needs / service gaps);
- Planning, review and evaluation.
Geographic Coverage and Office Locations
Programs and activities are provided at a number of locations throughout the Region. The main office base for the program is the Community Development Office on the Ground Floor of the School of Arts Building in Bolsover Street Rockhampton. Areas in the Region are assisted through periodic face to face liaison, outreach days, phone and email contact.
Further information
Phone: 07 4936 8569
Fax: 1300 22 55 79
Email: enquiries@rrc.qld.gov.au
Address: PO Box 1860, Rockhampton Q 4700