community services ยท Ku-ring-gai Council
Ku-ring-gai backs four new community roundtables through to June 2027
The council has endorsed a Community Roundtable Initiative covering social harmony, gambling harm, disability inclusion, and mental health and wellbeing.
Ku-ring-gai Council has backed a new Community Roundtable Initiative, with four themed forums to be delivered by June 2027 on social harmony and community relations, gambling harm awareness and prevention, disability access and inclusion, and mental health and wellbeing.
The decision was endorsed at the council's 28 April 2026 ordinary meeting. The minutes describe the initiative as a formal engagement framework bringing together community leaders, service providers, government representatives, academic institutions and residents on issues the council considers significant for the area.
For residents, the new roundtables create additional council-backed forums on local social and wellbeing issues. The gambling harm roundtable is intended to examine local gambling trends, impacts on individuals and families, local support services, and approaches used by other councils within current laws and regulatory settings.
The minutes say outcomes from the gambling harm discussion will also inform a councillor briefing or workshop on local trends, impacts, service capacity and comparative approaches. That work is intended to help inform the council's understanding of its current policy position, advocacy opportunities and the role of gambling-related considerations in planning and place-based decision-making.
The other three roundtables will focus on social cohesion, disability access and inclusion, and prevention-focused approaches to mental health and wellbeing. The minutes say the sessions are designed to raise awareness, support public discussion and bring together cross-sector partners to identify practical actions.
The initiative may also involve universities, research institutions, community organisations and government agencies. The minutes state it is proposed to be supported through collaboration with the Macquarie University PACE Program, subject to final arrangements, with student involvement flagged for research, policy analysis and facilitation support.
Next steps are for the council to proceed with implementation and deliver the four roundtables by June 2027. The minutes say key outputs are expected to include background research, policy mapping, structured discussion materials and documented outcomes with actionable recommendations.
Reference minutes
Source: Ku-ring-gai Council ordinary meeting of 28 April 2026, as recorded in the public minutes.
Key facts from the minutes
- Ku-ring-gai Council endorsed a Community Roundtable Initiative at its 28 April 2026 ordinary meeting.
- Four thematic roundtables are to be delivered by June 2027.
- The topics are social harmony and community relations, gambling harm awareness and prevention, disability access and inclusion, and mental health and wellbeing.
- The minutes say the initiative is intended to bring together community leaders, service providers, government representatives, academic institutions and residents.
- The gambling harm roundtable is intended to inform a later councillor briefing or workshop.
- The minutes say collaboration with the Macquarie University PACE Program is proposed, subject to final arrangements.
Why it matters
- The initiative sets up new council-backed engagement forums on social and wellbeing issues that could inform future local programs, advocacy and council decision-making.