Building a more inclusive Ballarat | ourballarat spring 2022

Local governments are required by law to protect, improve and promote the health and wellbeing of their communities. Inclusion in community, work, learning and decision-making is vital to good health. Earlier this year, the City of Ballarat undertook one of our most comprehensive and detailed community engagement projects to hear directly from our diverse community members.

Emily Duffy with Chelsea Tiley, John Williams, Samara and Samuel Zakkam and their mother Rachel Muir at the Sebastopol Library.

The Inclusive Ballarat project gathered information directly from our community to help the City of Ballarat build plans to create a fairer and more equitable organisation and community.

The feedback received through the engagement process will inform our Inclusion Framework, Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Plan, Ageing Well Strategy, Reconciliation Action Plan and Intercultural Plan.

Through surveys, community-led conversations, a mapping tool, a community poll and interactive activities, more that 880 people shared their experiences of inclusivity in the city and highlighted their needs and desires for improved services, access and programs.

“When I am included, I feel that I am being heard and I am making a difference.” - Community survey response

When people were asked how they felt when they were included, they frequently commented that they felt valued and respected.

A sense of safety was often raised, along with feeling supported and cared for.

They felt that they belonged in the Ballarat community.

Many people commented about feeling as though they had been seen and heard, with their needs considered, when they were included.

Comments were also made about feeling like they could contribute to the community when they were included.

It’s through this feedback and sentiment that the City of Ballarat will be able to build new plans and frameworks to strengthen the safety, connectedness and respect for everyone in our community.

To promote inclusion, the City of Ballarat will:

  1. Commit to building organisational knowledge and capacity
  2. Lead and advocate
  3. Provide a diverse and inclusive workplace
  4. Provide welcoming and inclusive spaces
  5. Provide welcoming and inclusive services and programs
  6. Listen to our community
  7. Connect our community