PROFILE DAREBIN CITY COUNCIL
The City of Darebin is located in Melbourne's northern suburbs and was established on the 22 June 1994, as part of the Local Government amalgamation process. The City of Darebin has a population of over 130,000 residents and is expected to experience minor growth over the next ten years. The municipality covers an area of 53 square kilometres including the suburbs of Kingsbury, Bundoora, Reservoir, Preston, Thornbury, Northcote, Fairfield and parts of Macleod and Alphington.
Darebin is home to one of the largest, most diverse communities anywhere in the State. Residents originate from 126 countries and has more than 1000 residents being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. More than 118 languages are spoken in Darebin with more than half the population speaking a language other than English at home.
Religious affiliation is strong in Darebin, the main affiliations being with Christian, Islamic and Buddhist faiths. Although the overall Darebin population is ageing there is a growth in younger age groups in Northcote and Fairfield and in the redevelopment estates located in Bundoora. While most residents are employed in the industrial sector, an increasing number of professionals live in, and continue to move to the municipality.
Darebin is one of the largest municipalities in Victoria, and presents significant economic opportunities for business, industry and the local community. The annual operating budget of Darebin is around $99 million and its annual capital program is around $23 million. Darebin employs 1100 staff who deliver a wide range of services including libraries, parks & gardens, environmental, technical, civic works, recreation & leisure, family & health, community care, urban development, building & local laws and economic development.
OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY
Darebin is a diverse city in terms of cultures, language, religions, socio-economic background, employment status, occupation, housing needs and people with a diverse range of opinions, aspirations and expectations.
We must continually improve our performance in showing how our organisation actively represents its community’s diversity as a mainstream component. Our aim is to create an inclusive work environment that values the contribution of all employees and treats all employees with dignity and respect.
Our Vision is for a community that works together to advance community life.
Darebin is proud of the diversity of its workforce and recognises the strength this provides in meeting the needs of the community we serve. We are committed to the development of a positive and supportive work environment, which encourages continuous learning and achievement of our business goals.
OUR VALUES
Following a recent organisational restructure at Darebin it was agreed that the organisation should be built on three characteristics - collaboration, accountability and respect. These characteristics describe the way in which Darebin will do business both internally and externally.
Council Plan 2005-2009:
The City of Darebin has clearly defined what it is trying to achieve which is articulated in its Statement of Intent:
We are committed to accountable, democratic governance. In this term of Council, we will continue to focus on strength in delivering relevant, quality services in a time of change. We will design our programs and services for the entire Darebin community and commit to sound strategic planning, prudent financial management and responsible environmental behaviour. We will place particular emphasis on making sure Darebin’s most disadvantaged are not left behind.
In determining how best to achieve the Vision, it is important for us to recognise the role of local government. To this end, the City of Darebin strives to:
• ensure our political representation on behalf of our local community reflects the principles of participative democracy, good governance and community involvement and is responsive to our wide cultural diversity
• be open, accountable and responsive to the community through effective consultation and communication
• provide and develop a leadership role in local government through innovation and by working with the local community
• develop and maintain quality systems of service delivery that meet the community's social, cultural and recreational aspirations
• achieve optimum value and benefits for the community through responsible financial and resource management
• stimulate economic activity in the municipality to generate local employment opportunities and to enhance local amenities
• protect and enhance our natural and environmental resources through responsible management practices
• engage in quality policy planning, strategic planning and research and development initiatives to ensure Council is well informed for its longer term decision making responsibilities.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The City of Darebin is proud of the diversity of its workforce and recognises the strengths this provides in meeting the needs of the community it serves. It is committed to providing a workplace where employees are valued and respected and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment inclusive of bullying.
The City of Darebin actively discourages discrimination, harassment and bullying on the grounds of:
• Age;
• Disability/Impairment;
• Industrial activity/inactivity;
• Lawful sexual activity;
• Gender Identity;
• Marital Status, including defacto;
• Physical features;
• Political belief or activity;
• Pregnancy;
• Breastfeeding;
• Race;
• Religious belief and activity;
• Sex;
• Sexual orientation;
• Status as a parent or carer;
• Irrelevant criminal conviction; and
• Personal association with someone of the above attributes
All employees at the City of Darebin will conduct themselves in a manner that ensures that the City of Darebin is a workplace free from discrimination, harassment and bullying.
Council is an equal employment opportunity employer and has an Equal Employment Opportunity policy in place it also promotes smoke free workplace.