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Local Government Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Champions Network · Report
SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING 10 SEPTEMBER 2024
5.2 LOCAL GOVERNMENT DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION
CHAMPIONS NETWORK
Author Community Development Coordinator, Cheryl Pattison
Community Services Department
Index 10.04 Community Development
Attachments 1. Letter from Domestic and Family Prevention Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report provides an introduction to the Local Government Domestic and Family Violence
Prevention Champions Network and seeks endorsement for three members from Noosa Council as
representatives on the LGDFVP Champions Network.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Community Development Coordinator to the Services &
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 September 2024 and:
A. Endorse Noosa Council’s recommitment to the Local Government Domestic and Family
Violence Prevention Champions Network; and
B. Appoint Councillor < > and two staff members (from Community Development and People
and Culture teams), as Noosa Council’s representatives to the Network.
REPORT
The Community Development team has been successfully collaborating with local social service
organisations, including Sunnykids, Youturn, and the Salvation Army to provide services aimed at
preventing and raising awareness about domestic and family violence. These strong partnerships
have contributed to creating a safe and inclusive community for vulnerable residents. Additionally,
Council has been working internally to increase awareness and understanding of family and
domestic violence to support staff.
The Queensland Government established the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council to
support greater community understanding about domestic and family violence and to challenge the
values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that trivialise, excuse or perpetuate this abuse.
Working at the primary prevention level, the Prevention Council partners with government, business
and community stakeholders to champion local community-led action and leadership in creating
social change. Through enhanced education, understanding and place-based responses, the
Prevention Council supports all Queenslanders to play their part in ending domestic and family
violence.
The Local Government Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Champions Network was formed
by the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council and the Local Government Association of
Queensland to support local government authorities in leading a place-based response to domestic
and family violence in the workplace and across communities and to promote the sharing of practice,
learnings, resources, and tools. This highly effective form of primary prevention which relies on
shared understanding and consistent messaging, is essential to bringing about the grass-roots shift
in attitudes and behaviour required to achieve cultural change to prevent domestic and family
violence.
In 2022, following a presentation by members of the Prevention Council, then Mayor Clare Stewart,
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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING 10 SEPTEMBER 2024 People & Culture Manager Daryl Mahon and Community Development Office Kylie Finigan were nominated to represent Noosa Shire Council as members of the Local Government Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Champions Network (the Champions Network). Given the recent election, the Champions Network has written to Council to seek Council’s continued involvement in the Champions Network and to confirm who the representatives will be this term. This report recommends appointing a councillor with an interest in the prevention of domestic and family violence and two staff members from Community Development and People and Culture teams given the primary topics are community development and local government employee programs. The Champions Network meets virtually three to four times per year. The next meeting will be held on 2 October 2024. Link to Corporate Plan Theme No. 2 - Liveability Liveability encompasses housing, facilities and services, transport, health and wellbeing to enable an inclusive, connected and vibrant community. 2.6 Facilitate strong, vibrant, inclusive communities where people have a sense of belonging and are active participants in a rich community life. 2.8 Provide opportunities to enhance the health, wellbeing and safety of our communities. Previous Council Consideration Not applicable. Finance There are no financial implications. Risk & Opportunities Risks Reduced Coordination and Collaboration: Services and initiatives could be fragmented without LGA representation. Effective D&FV prevention often requires coordination between various levels of government, law enforcement, social services, and community organisations. Inadequate Response to Local Incidents: Local Council have direct knowledge of specific community issues and incidents. Without their input, the DFV Prevention Council may not be fully informed about local cases or trends, leading to inadequate or inappropriate responses. Opportunities Increased Collaboration in the Sector: Having all levels of government working toward a common objective will assist with D&FV advocacy and collaboration within the sector. Human Rights Human Rights Compatibility Statement In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with Council’s Human Rights Policy.
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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING 10 SEPTEMBER 2024
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
The Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council
Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:
Office of the CEO, Mayor & Community Services Corporate Services
Councillors
x Mayor & Councillors x Director Director
Chief Executive Officer x Community Development Financial Services
Executive Officers Sport & Active Lifestyles Fleet
Community Engagement Arts & Culture Revenue Services
People & Culture Community Connection ICT
Governance Customer Experience Procurement
Commercial Property
Strategy & Environment Development & Regulation Infrastructure Services
Director Director Director
Strategic Land Use Planning Development Assessment Infrastructure Planning, Design
and Delivery
Economic Development & Local Laws Civil and Asset operations
Destination Management
Environmental Services Environmental Health Waste
Innovation & Digital Hub Building & Plumbing Building & Facilities
Property / Permits Disaster Management