Department of Community Services
The Community Services Department supports the wellbeing of residents. It provides community
development and social protection programmes. It manages Council properties and housing, bus stations
and markets. It also runs library services and archives, supports culture, sports and recreation, and
coordinates skills development.
Social Services Section
This Section promotes the social welfare and wellbeing of the community. It has five units:
• Community Development Unit: plans and coordinates community-based programmes. It provides
skills training and community education, and supports women through entrepreneurial and life skills,
grants, equipment and micro-credit. It also encourages self-help activities and volunteerism.
• Social Welfare Services Unit: delivers social protection for children, youth, women, men, older
persons and persons with disabilities. It protects victims of abuse, human trafficking and gender-based
violence and manages places of safety. It also handles adoption, foster care and probation services
and regulates registered children’s homes.
• Sports Unit: builds and maintains sports facilities and identifies and nurtures talent in communities and
schools. It registers local sports associations and academies, and promotes sports development and its
commercialisation.
• Cultural Affairs Unit: preserves and promotes the district’s cultural heritage and folklore. It trains
communities in culture and folklore, supports research and provides entertainment at state and public
functions.
• Library and Archiving Services Unit: provides library services and safeguards records for the future.
It stores and preserves archive material, digitises records and helps the public and institutions get
lawful access to them.
Bus Stations, Markets and Housing Section
This Section manages the places where residents trade and travel, and helps with housing. It manages
bus stations and markets, provides housing and social services, manages Council properties, and
coordinates the upgrading of unplanned settlements.
Local Tourism Unit
This Unit promotes local tourism. It markets the district’s attractions and contributes to local economic
development.