In what is a first for any small rural council across the state, Ararat Rural City Council have become a signatory to the Victorian Child Friendly Cities and Communities (CFCC) Charter.
The CFCC Charter is a statement of principles, underpinning actions which support communities to be child friendly. It embraces the universal rights of children from birth to 17 years of age, and encompasses three tenets: to act in the best interests of the child, to allow children the freedom to express their individual opinions and the right to have those opinions considered in decisions that affect them, and to create equity for all children based on their needs.
Ararat Rural City Council already demonstrates the principles of the Charter in its development and target outcomes of key strategic documents, such as in our Community Vision 2030, Council Plan, Municipal Public Health and our Wellbeing Plan. Council's commitments to the principles are also demonstrated in the projects it chooses to champion, such as refurbishment of Ararat Library, recent playground upgrades in Ararat and Lake Bolac, and the newly-completed Gordon Street Recreation Reserve, which includes the pavilion, sports fields and facilities, and ninja course.
"Becoming a signatory to the Charter will affirm Council's continuing resolve to strive towards embodying a community where our children can thrive," says Ararat Rural City Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison. "It also complements Council's other activities to support the critically important early childhood education and care sector.
"Signing the Charter creates the mandate for increased attention on the best interests of children in any future plans and strategies."
To support Council's status as a signatory to the Charter, Council plans to establish a Working Group to support the community to continue to uphold and advance the Charter's principles. Comprised of Council, child-related sector, and community representatives, the Group will act in an advisory and reference role to the Council and CEO.
If you are interesting in joining the CFCC Working Group, please submit an Expression of Interest via the dedicated page on Engage Ararat.
