About Local Action Plans
What are Local Action Plans?
Working in partnership with communities, Council has developed Local Action Plans.
Local Action Plans include a list of priority improvement projects for each of the eight zones identified across the local government area – as requested by the public.
These local projects are now being actively integrated into the relevant Council programs – current and new - covering the short, medium and long term. For example:
- Streetscape upgrades as part of our Capital Works program.
- Youth services as part of our Community Living program.
- More street trees in particular areas as part of our Environmental Management Plan.
The new Plans aim to build on important work done to date by the community and Council; we are not aiming to reinvent the wheel.
Some improvements identified by the scheme may not be within Council responsibility. Where responsibility for an improvement falls outside of the jurisdiction of Council, we can respond by advocating on behalf of the interests of stakeholders to the relevant authority.
Local Action Plans Consultation Process
The City has undertaken a comprehensive community engagement process to gather a broad pool of what people believe should be preserved and enhanced in their neighbourhood.
This process will continue throughout the deilvery of the Local Action Plans.
The Local Action Plan consultation also took account of existing processes and knowledge.
Consultation was tailored to suit the specific needs of each area and each individual local community. The process, which is ongoing, involved:
- A City-wide questionnaire to provide opportunity for your input
- Brochure distribution to inform residents about what’s underway in their area and the Local Action Plans process to be followed
- Separate workshops, including Focus Groups of randomly selected participants from the area, workshops of Community Groups and workshops of Councillors
- Production and distribution of individual Local Action Plans for public comment at a public forum
- Council report
- Introduction of Local Action Plans
- updates and revision of the Local Action Plans.
The City has also undertaken individual consultation on request.
The random selection process for focus group participants was independent of Council, based on a model used for the NSW Government’s Metro Strategy.
We also have been holding workshops for Community Groups to have their say.
Where local groups have already developed their own strategic plans, the process has been streamlined to more easily build on those proposals.
Community Forums
Community Forums will be held for each of the eight zones across the Local Government Area this year. Visit the 2008 Meeting Calendar for Public Meeting Dates.
Local Action Plan Timing
After exhibiting the Plans in 2006 and early 2007 for further community feedback, the final Plans have now been developed.
Community suggestions from Local Action Plans that develop into specific projects will require further consultation on detail on a project by project basis. In addition, as part of the regular Community Forums throughout 2008 opportunities for community involvement in Local Action Plan initiatives will be outlined and feedback will be sought on progress in every zone.
Matching Grants Program
The City of Sydney’s Local Action Plans Matching Grants Program has been established in response to the outcomes of the Local Action Plan Strategy and provides a mechanism for community engagement, skills development, capacity building and shared funding arrangements for the delivery of appropriate programs.
The aim of the Matching Grants Program is to support identified community projects or objectives in the Local Actions Plans by matching with City Resources what is raised in-cash or in-kind by the community. Through supporting participative community projects the Program encourages the generation of social capital to assist in developing stronger communities.
Project submissions will be required to demonstrate how they will meet the identified community projects or objectives in the Local Actions Plans which address a specific community need and/or build community capacity. Some of the projects or initiatives may include physical improvements, environmental sustainability projects, cultural projects, community activities and events.
The Local Action Plan Matching Grants Program is for small grants (in-cash/in-kind) from the City of Sydney of up to $5,000.
It is envisaged that Projects receiving funding will commence between March 2008 – June 2008.
Matching Grants In-cash and In-kind
The significant difference between general grants or sponsorships and a matching grants model is the intent to support projects that involved genuine community participation. With the community involved in projects and outcomes, relationships develop within the community and between the City.
By ‘matching’ what the community contributes to the project the City is building or strengthening partnerships between the City and the community, supporting the community identified projects and building a sense of community as people work together on the project.
Community contributions recognised include:
- In-kind contributions such as donated supplies, materials or services;
- volunteering time such as labour, set up & pack down, and meeting time to identify, plan and implement projects;
- direct cash input to the project (donations, income generated)
As a guide for calculating in-kind contributions use the cost price of the supplies, materials, or services contributed.
As a guide to calculating volunteer time or labour contributed to the project use the rate of $20 per hour. For professional or contractor fees a guide for contributed services is $75 per hour.
The City contribution will match the community contribution to projects in-cash or in-kind. In-kind contributions from the City are defined as those things which would normally be charged for but are provided at a reduced rate or free of charge. This may include park hire, venue hire, banner pole hire. The City may contribute cash to match community in-kind contributions i.e. a project involving a community in-kind contribution for donated supplies, labour and volunteer hours to coordinate the project estimated at $2,500 could receive a cash grant of $2500 from the City for the equipment and specialist staff required for the project.
More Information
Local Action Plans
Email: LAPs@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
City of Sydney
GPO Box 1591
Sydney 2001
Tel: 02 9265 9333
TTY: 02 9265 9276 (for the hearing impaired)
DX: DX1251 SYDNEY
Downloads
- Consultation graphs | PDF 491Kb
- Zone Map | PDF 163Kb
- Snapshot across eight zones | PDF 22Kb
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Last Updated: Wednesday 5 March, 2008
