Community support services

Support areas

Council's Community Development Team operates in the following areas in support of the community;

• Community Development
• Children and Youth Services
• Disability Services
• Recreation
• Arts & Culture
• Sister Cities
• Community Safety

Advisory and Management Groups

Team members resource Council advisory and community committees to facilitate the provision of advice on Council functions and operations. Such committees are;

• Disability Advisory Committee
• Community Safety and Security Advisory Committee
• Arts and Cultural Development Advisory Committee
• Five Sister Cities community committees
• Sister Cities Management Committee
• Youth Advisory Group

Community / User Groups

Officers also work in cooperation with a number of user groups operating from Council facilities. The aim of these groups is to provide officers and Council with input to ensure the most effective management of our facilities. Such groups include;

• Gardens Oval User Group
• Malak and Nightcliff Community Centre user groups
• Swimming pool user groups
• Market Associations

Supporting other community groups

Team members support, promote and showcase Council's commitment to achieving a vibrant and viable community sector in Darwin through;

• the Community Grant Program
• the provision of community services and Council facilities
• the provision of inkind support for many community events such as the World Solar Car Challenge, Sculpture in the Park, Arafura Games, Tropical Garden Spectacular, Australia Day celebrations, National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebrations (NAIDOC) etc
• provision of community space for the operation of community markets
• promotional activities including advertising and production of information and publications ie
  • Darwin for the Over 60s Part 1
  • Darwin for the Over 60s Part 2
  • Youth Services Directory
  • Making Tracks- cycleway map
  • Feeling Blue- Guide to support services
  • Disability Services Directory
  • The Art of Darwin - Art sites map
  • Youth Information Card
  • Safe Syringe Disposal
  • Don't Turn a Blind Eye Card

Planning & development

Team members undertake research and respond to community needs, facilitate the development of new community initiatives, and develop and coordinate the implementation of Council adopted strategies including the;

• 2000/2005 Youth Strategy
• 2000/05 DDA Action Plan
• Playground Strategy 2001/2010
• Recreation Strategy 2000/05
• Community Projects ie Aquatic Facilities Development
• Public Art Strategy -under review 2004/05

Service Delivery

The Community Development team coordinate services to meet the needs of specific target groups through the following;

• Fun Bus mobile playgroup
• Fun in the Parks school holiday program
• GRIND Youth Newspaper
• Biennial Disability Forums
• Coordinating and participating in community events such as annual youth week events, Childrens Week, Disability Awareness Week, Seniors Week, Refugee Week, Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC etc

Council Facilities

The role of community services within Council is to facilitate community use of Council facilities. Such facilities include;

• 17 Ovals including the Gardens Oval Complex
• 2 Community Centres- Nightcliff and Malak
• 3 Public Tennis Courts- Aralia St Nightcliff, Ross Smith Ave Parap and Chrisp Street Rapid Creek
• Gardens Amphitheatre
• Velodrome
• 3 Public Swimming Pools - Casuarina, Parap and Nightcliff
• 113+ playgrounds in 174 parks
• 7 community based child care centres

For any further information on the Community Development Team or its operations phone 89300 633.

Community Services - info sheet

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