Community Capacity Building in ‘place’

The Community Capacity Building (CCB) model has a particular focus in ‘place’. A ‘place’ will ultimately be defined by people who live, work or socialise in particular neighbourhood or geographic locations. A ‘place’ may be a physical location or may exist around a particular community asset or issue. 

There are three Council Officers known as ‘Community Place Development Officers’ who focus on the North-West, North-East and Southern areas of the Parramatta Local Government Area.  The Community Place Development Officers have a ‘place’ focus and provide much needed social and community development skills at the local or ‘coal-face’ level.

The role of the Community Place Development Officers is to work together with residents and community partners to identify key local issues, community assets and partnerships. In this way they support the development of local strategies to respond to local issues and to build on existing community strengths.  For example, a neighbourhood group can provide the opportunity for local residents to come together to develop connections with other people in their local area. This can reduce isolation for individuals and build a stronger sense of community where people want to celebrate the many assets of the community.

When actions and solutions to issues come from a local community, there are long term effects. These include:
• Neighbourhoods that are liveable and distinctive,
• A community that is diverse and cohesive,
• A society that is healthy and compassionate and,
• Land and water that is protected, respected and sustained

Each suburb in the Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA) sits within a ward (which is an official way to divide up the area).  The idea of ‘place’ does not replace ward boundaries or suburb names. It recognises the natural and social boundaries that often define the location of communities. The focus on ‘place’ enhances Parramatta City Council’s (PCC) understanding of the communities it services and how we can work together to better address locally-identified issues.

To find out more about what partnerships and initiatives Council is working on in your ‘place’, click the ward link related to your suburb.