Ainaro Community Development Action Plan formally adopted

Ballarat’s two-decade long association with the Municipality of Ainaro in Timor Leste has been strengthened with the formalisation of the Ainaro Community Development Action Plan 2024-2029.

The Action Plan was formally adopted by Ballarat City Council at the June Ordinary Meeting, outlining four key priorities areas to build capacity and promote wellbeing for the Ainaro community.

It is the first plan of its kind in relation to Ainaro and formalises the ongoing relationship that initially blossomed in 1999, when the Ballarat branch of the Australian East Timor Association identified the Ainaro region as an appropriate sister region for Ballarat.

Following this, the official friendship agreement was signed on 1 July 2003. This led to the Ballarat Friends of Ainaro Community Committee (BFACC) being formally established, providing support to further develop the friendship with Ainaro District.

There have since been several delegations travel to and from the two municipalities, including a formal delegation from Ballarat visiting Ainaro to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Friendship Agreement in 2023.

The City of Ballarat is currently helping build a $15,000 playground in Ainaro, sharing the cost with the BFACC.

City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Peter Eddy said the Action Plan helped reinforce a relationship where both communities felt valued and connected.

“We truly value our friendship with the Ainaro community and this will go a long way to strengthen the relationship even further,” he said.

“I look forward to seeing the Action Plan enacted and for more brilliant projects to come together, like the playground that is currently under construction.”

The four key objectives of the Action Plan are:

• Strengthening partnerships and establishing good governance between the City of Ballarat and Ainaro.
• Supporting the delivery of local community infrastructure in Ainaro.
• Building local community capacity.
• Promoting health and wellbeing.

Some of the examples of projects to be undertaken include: donating 20 re-purposed laptops to the Ainaro community, establishing a tool library, establishing a Ballarat/Ainaro Soccer partnership, improving the kindergarten facility, delivering hospitality/hairdresser/barber training and enhancement of associated facilities, and many other items.

To view the Action Plan in full, visit the City of Ballarat website.