NOTICE OF Council MEETING
PUBLIC SUPPLEMENTARY
AGENDA - B
An Ordinary Meeting of City of Parramatta Council will be held in PHIVE (COUNCIL CHAMBER) 2 Civic Place, Parramatta on Monday, 13 March 2023 at 6:30PM.
Bryan Hynes
ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Council 13 March 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM SUBJECT PAGE NO
8 Minutes of the Lord Mayor
8.1 Homelessness Street Count................................................................... 3
8.2 Clean Up Australia Day 2023.................................................................. 6
After the conclusion of the Council Meeting, and if time permits, Councillors will be provided an opportunity to ask questions of staff.
Council 13 March 2023 Item 8.1
ITEM NUMBER 8.1
SUBJECT Homelessness Street Count
REFERENCE F2021/02779 - D08903116
REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis
CSP THEME: FAIR
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to note the City of Parramatta’s annual Homelessness Street Count recently took place and to recognise the support provided by staff and local volunteers in conducting the count.
Recommendation:
(a) That Council note City of Parramatta’s annual Homelessness Street Count took place on the night of Monday 20 February into the morning of Tuesday 21 February 2023.
(b) That Council note the aim of the count is to collect accurate data on the number of people sleeping rough or in emergency and crisis accommodation in the City of Parramatta local government area, and is a positive example of our community working collaboratively to support the extensive work that is undertaken to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
(c) Further, that Council acknowledge and thank the staff conducting the count, and write to the local organisations and volunteers who support the annual Homelessness Street Count, with City of Parramatta certificates, to thank them for their support of the initiative.
BACKGROUND
1. City of Parramatta’s annual Homelessness Street Council took place on Monday 20 February into the morning of Tuesday 21 February 2023. The aim of the count is to collect accurate data on the number of people sleeping rough in emergency or crisis accommodation in the City of Parramatta local government area (LGA), to measure progress towards practical initiatives to reduce homelessness.
2. The 2023 Homelessness Street Count identified 30 people sleeping rough (primary homelessness). The number of people sleeping in emergency and crisis accommodation (secondary homelessness) at services provided by Uniting NSW. ACT, Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) funded Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) and Parramatta Women’s Shelter totaled 101. Council is awaiting further secondary homelessness data from Cumberland Hospital and Westmead Hospital, after which the 2023 Homelessness Street Count results will be finalised.
3. The previous Homelessness Street Count in February 2022 identified a total of 186 people experiencing homelessness, comprising 39 people sleeping rough and 147 people sleeping in emergency and crisis accommodation. This was a slight increase from 2021, which identified a total of 177 people experiencing homelessness, comprised of 32 people sleeping rough and 145 people sleeping in emergency and crisis accommodation.
4. The 2023 Parramatta Homelessness Street Count marks the 13th count. Results from the previous twelve (12) counts over the past thirteen (13) years have provided valuable data for Council and local community service providers, to track whether homelessness has increased or decreased in the LGA. It has assisted stakeholders in advocating, planning for and providing local services, including the allocation of resources and funding to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Department of Housing.
5. The count was conducted by a small team made up of four (4) Council employees from City Strategy, Community Capacity Building and Place Services, three (3) volunteers from local community services, and two (2) volunteer DCJ employees. The three local community service volunteers are experienced in homelessness service provision, knowledgeable on local matters and take the role of homelessness advisors.
6. The Parramatta Homelessness Street Count is a positive example of our community working collaboratively to support the extensive work that is undertaken to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
7. In November 2011, the City of Parramatta Council adopted a Homelessness Policy in recognition of the growing number of people experiencing homelessness within the local government area (LGA). This Policy was last reviewed and endorsed in December 2019. Stemming from this policy, the Homelessness Action Plan (the Action Plan) was developed, which is an operational document outlining specific activities Council will carry out to address homelessness in the LGA.
8. A mid-term review of the Action Plan, conducted in August 2022, found that 82% of the 59 actions were either complete or on schedule. 5% of actions were on hold; 3% were behind schedule; and 10% not yet commenced.
9. Key achievements identified during the reporting period included:
a. Establishment of the Public Space Liaison Officer (PSLO) position as a stable contact for rough sleepers, to conduct daily proactive and reactive patrols, and to support staff and community members engaging with rough sleepers.
b. Targeted support to vulnerable groups at risk of homelessness through the adoption of an Action Plan for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence and establishment of a dedicated Community Capacity Building Officer position to focus on this topic.
c. Creation of a dedicated Homelessness page on Council’s website, providing Street Count information, Council’s Homelessness Policy, a Homelessness Fact Sheet, the Parramatta Assistance Card, links to the Parramatta Regional Homelessness Interagency and other services.
10. On behalf of Council, I thank the Council staff, volunteers and DCJ representatives who carried out the 2023 count, as their participation and commitment is critical to its success.
11. This Minute proposes that Council writes to the local organisations and volunteers who supported the annual Homelessness Street Count to thank them for their support of the initiative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL
12. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis
There are no attachments for this report.
REFERENCE MATERIAL
Council 13 March 2023 Item 8.2
ITEM NUMBER 8.2
SUBJECT Clean Up Australia Day 2023
REFERENCE F2021/02779 - D08903126
REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis
CSP THEME: GREEN
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to congratulate the community volunteers who participated in Clean Up Australia Day on 05 March 2023 at various locations across the City of Parramatta.
Recommendation:
(a) That Council note Clean Up Australia Day was held on Sunday 05 March, with many local volunteers and community groups participating at various locations across the City of Parramatta;
(b) Further, that Council write to the community groups, schools and businesses who participated in Clean Up Australia Day 2023 in the City of Parramatta, to acknowledge their efforts and thank them for helping to clean up our City.
BACKGROUND
1. Clean Up Australia Day is the nation’s largest community-based environmental event. Held on the first Sunday in March each year, the event attracts up to 1 million volunteers across Australia. This year’s Clean Up Australia Day took place on Sunday 05 March, with a dedicated Schools Clean Up Day on Friday 03 March and a Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday 28 February 2023.
2. The City of Parramatta supports Clean Up Australia Day by helping to identify suitable locations for clean ups, collecting rubbish from participating community groups, business and schools, and helping to promote the initiative across our media platforms.
3. This year 67 clean up sites were registered across the City of Parramatta, with clean up events run by a range of community groups, schools, clubs and businesses.
4. On behalf of Council, I thank the volunteers, community groups, schools and businesses who participated in Clean Up Australia Day 2023, as their participation and commitment is critical to its success.
5. This Minute proposes that Council writes to the community groups, schools and businesses who participated in Clean Up Australia Day to thank them for their support of the initiative, and for helping to clean up our City.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL
6. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis
There are no attachments for this report.