Social Equity Framework - Our vision
Vision
Our community-led 30-year vision for a clever and creative future is underpinned by how we support every member of our community. Our vision is community-led and collaborative in how we address our challenges, create opportunities and embrace new ways of doing things.
Sustainability is a key challenge to achieving a thriving region over the next 30 years. Sustainability for Greater Geelong means focusing on creating the best outcomes for people, the environment, and the economy, both now and in the future. Social sustainability is about expanding opportunities to create a more inclusive community, empowering community members and fostering a more resilient and prosperous society.
We recognise that some social groups may experience barriers to representation and their voices may not be heard. This reinforces the importance of equity, access and inclusion in the way we deliver services and programs, and partner with community when achieving our community-led vision.
Purpose
The Social Equity Framework provides a common set of principles so that every member of our community can be supported to participate fully, be included, and can live a healthy and fulfilling life.
The framework informs how we will work with the community to become a thriving region, with equitable access to council services and facilities, partnerships that achieve better health outcomes, and an approach that harnesses community knowledge to drive sustainable change.
This framework also considers the concepts of social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and human rights in every service and program we deliver, and every space and place we manage. By adopting an equity approach, we will move closer to realising social justice in our community.
Aligning to the community’s 30-year Clever and Creative Vision and Our Community Plan 2021-2025, the framework will help us strive for a fairer society by reducing barriers and sharing resources fairly.
By putting equity at the centre of everything we do, we will build a healthy, thriving community where everyone is welcomed and valued.
Figure 1: Visual representation of Equality, Equity, Justice
Our Community
Located 75 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, the municipality covers an area of 1,252 square kilometres, comprising suburban, coastal and country areas. Greater Geelong is bound by the Moorabool Shire in the north, Wyndham City Council and the Borough of Queenscliffe in the east, Surf Coast Shire and Golden Plains Shire in the west, and Bass Strait in the south.
