Murrumbidgee MLA, Dr Marisa Paterson will support the creation of a Molonglo Valley Community Council with her first motion in the Legislative Assembly today.
Seven “non-political” community councils operate across the ACT: Belconnen, Gungahlin, Inner South, North Canberra, Tuggeranong, Weston Creek and Woden Valley.
Dr Paterson said she was no longer a resident of Molongo Valley but spent a “very pivotal time” of her life in the area in 2017/18.
“The Molonglo Valley residents struggle for representation and are currently represented through informal community groups and the Weston Creek Community Council,” Dr Paterson said.
“The feeling that really struck me from living in Molonglo was the sense of excitement for the future of the area and the will of the residents to develop connections and develop a sense of community”.
Gazetted in 2010, Molonglo Valley is the ACT’s newest greenfield development.
Dr Paterson said members of the community had recently established their own ‘Molonglo Valley Community Forum’ formed to advocate for the interests and needs of the local community.
The motion includes a call for the ACT Government to include in the remit of the proposed Molonglo Valley Community Council a requirement to engage with the community and advocate to the Government on local issues relevant to the livelihood, liveability and wellbeing of residents and the community.
“Given the unique demographic attributes of the newly established suburbs, it is imperative that the Molonglo Valley Community Council is reflective and inclusive of the diversity of the community,” Dr Paterson said.
“This will require thinking outside the box and exploring innovative community engagement methods to establish a council that engages younger stakeholders, and those from non-English speaking backgrounds, as an example”.
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