Lord Mayor's Column: Building a better community for all
By Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown
If there is one word that I’ve been using a lot lately it’s community.
Community is at the heart of everything we do at Council, and what we’re talking about when we say “community” can reference so many different things.
For example, community and how people feel when out and about is part of our conversations right now as we seek input and feedback on our draft Community Safety Plan 2026-2031.
This document is about how we will continue to support crime prevention and community wellbeing over the next five years, and what steps we can put into place now for our future.
It’s a Plan that relies on strong partnerships between Council, local residents, NSW Police, community groups, local businesses and different organisations within all levels of government.
And at its heart it’s about improving safety for people, within places and protecting property from theft, vandalism and fraud.
Getting this right makes Wollongong a better place to live, work and play.
As does our draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2026/2027, which is one of the reports on next Monday’s Council agenda.
These documents are about the actions, projects and services Council will deliver to move forward on the goals and vision set out in the Our Wollongong Our Future 2035 Community Strategic Plan.
And there’s that “community” word again! Only this time it’s about all of the projects, services, initiatives and programs we do every day for the residents of Wollongong.
This is about so much more than collecting your bins, building new roads and footpaths and assessing Development Applications.
It’s about lifeguards on patrol at our beaches and pools in summer and then visiting local schools during the off-season to discuss beach-safe behaviour.
It’s about our Born-to-Read program in the libraries that foster a love of learning from the youngest years, and targeted programs like the Old Boys Club that keeps people engaged and connected during their older years.
And it’s about advocating for Wollongong beyond our Local Government Area’s border so we can grow as a city in a sustainable way and as a place recognised for cutting edge industry, diverse employment opportunities and a fantastic lifestyle.
As we discuss this report on Monday, we’ll be joined by Wollongong’s newest Councillor, David Haden, who is stepping up to serve his community.
David will take his Affirmation of Office having been announced this week as a Ward 3 Councillor following a countback election completed by the NSW Electoral Commission.
I’ve known David for a number of years and speaking to him this week it’s clear he is keen and ready to ensure the decisions he makes as a Councillor benefit the people he serves.
A lifelong Wollongong resident David said it was great honour to serve his community and he is particularly focused on ensuring libraries, active transport and parks and public spaces meet the diverse needs of those enjoying these facilities.
It’s certainly a busy time for community matters. If you’re interested, you can tune into Monday’s Council meeting via the webcast, or check out our website for more information on the Draft Community Safety Plan 2026-2031.
