Social Sustainability Supporting Plan
The Social Sustainability Supporting Plan promotes inclusive, long-term community initiatives designed to foster collaboration, strengthen connections and enhance wellbeing for all residents.
The Social Strategy will outline our shared vision for a more connected, resilient Maitland.
We're developing a strategic roadmap for how Council partners with government agencies, community services and the private sector to address community needs, provide support and help our residents thrive. The Social Strategy will aim to:
- Understand: Identify and understand community needs, demographic changes, current and emerging social trends, and gaps in service provision to inform strategic decision-making
- Plan: Collaborate with our community through ongoing, tailored consultation to determine strategic priority areas, meaningful program design, and foster greater social participation
- Implement: Leverage our community’s strengths and partnerships to develop an integrated framework for planning, implementing and reporting on placed-based, socially focused initiatives.
The consultation period has now closed. Your feedback will be essential to ensuring Maitland's first Social Strategy reflects our community priorities. These are some of the ways you got involved:
What does social wellbeing mean to you and how can we enhance it for our residents?
To us, social wellbeing is being able to create and maintain positive, meaningful social relationships with the people around us and our broader community which fosters sense of belonging to our community, culture and the places we live, work and play in.
Tell us what social wellbeing means to you and what supports you think would help enhance social wellbeing for our residents.
CLOSED. The visioning activity has now concluded. Click to see all the submitted ideas.
24 March, 2026
Anonymous says:
Safety. Rising youth crime shows need for more free activities and safe spaces in the suburbs to keep kids/teens engaged and off the streets
13 March, 2026
Anonymous says:
Social wellbeing means accessible public spaces to meet with the community that are free, physically accessible, and well maintained.
11 March, 2026
Anonymous says:
Advertise community halls as free for use across the community on Facebook and in the papers. Make it easy to reserve a free venue online.
8 March, 2026
Anonymous says:
Having meaningful connections with neighbours, feeling connected and safe in the community, feeling welcome to participate in social events
4 March, 2026
Sjp says:
The ability to meet/socialise with community in a safe space
2 March, 2026
Anonymous says:
Everyone feels welcomed, supported, stable, and like they are part of the community. E.g. childcare, free events, activities, accessibility
2 March, 2026
DebWhite says:
More events and activities for singles over 50 to build community - there are plenty of activities for families but this isolating otherwise
26 February, 2026
Juie says:
Everyone’s safely and wellbeing is considered. Youth have play-spaces they can WALK to, older residents have safe green spaces.
20 February, 2026
Anonymous says:
We need more police.
19 February, 2026
Anonymous says:
Social wellbeing is a sense of belonging and purpose within a community through housing affordability and intentional facility integration.
18 February, 2026
Anonymous says:
Social wellbeing occurs when all members of our society have the opportunity to thrive - growing inequality undermines this to our detriment
11 February, 2026
TraceyMulhearn says:
For children to not be restricted in accessing opportunities to promote individual talents, due to parental financial and travel constraints
Supporting plans
We understand that our community faces a range of social challenges and require different kinds of support to feel connected and valued. As part of our Social Strategy, we’ll develop a series of supporting plans that outline how we’ll tailor support to meet the diverse challenges and desires of the Maitland community. You can find out more about these plans below.
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Children and Families Supporting Plan
The Children and Families Supporting Plan highlights Council's commitment to fostering childhood development, family safety and strengthening social connections.
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Multicultural Communities Supporting Plan
The Multicultural Communities Supporting Plan celebrates Maitland’s diversity and works to remove barriers, ensuring equal access to services and opportunities for everyone.
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Community Disaster Preparedness and Resilience
The Community Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Plan focuses on collaboration, education and local action to strengthen community preparedness, response and recovery from emergencies and natural disasters.
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Disability Inclusion Action Plan
The Disability Inclusion Action Plan outlines Council’s commitment to accessibility, inclusive communities, equal opportunities, and recognising the rights and contributions of people with disability.
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Youth Supporting Plan
The Youth Supporting Plan aims to address the needs and challenges of young people aged 12 to 24 years old, supporting their growth, wellbeing and opportunities in Maitland.
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Ageing Well Supporting Plan
The Ageing Well Supporting Plan responds to the opportunities and challenges of our ageing population, supporting older residents to live healthy, connected lives.
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Vulnerable Communities Supporting Plan
The Vulnerable Communities Supporting Plan aims to provide support and access to services for people experiencing hardship, including homelessness, to enhance safety and wellbeing.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Supporting Plan reflects Council's commitment to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to strengthen relationships, overcome barriers and expand opportunities.
