Local governments are uniquely placed to drive disability inclusion through safety, justice, gender equality and emergency management. People with disability are residents, ratepayers, employees and active community members who interact with council services every day. Watch the webinar Slideshows and links However, navigating this responsibility is not always straightforward. Ambiguous roles, inconsistent frameworks and limited resources can create barriers to meaningful inclusion. This webinar will explore three key challenges councils face in advancing safety, justice, gender equality and emergency preparedness for people with disability. This practical session will examine how councils can move from intent to impact across three priority areas: Challenge 1: Safety and justice Across Australia, councils are grappling with an unclear and inconsistent understanding of their role in disability inclusion. This lack of clarity can lead to duplicated work, inefficiencies and missed opportunities to support autonomous decision making, allocate resources effectively and build strong relationships with communities. The impacts are especially significant for children and young people with disability, neurodivergent people, people with intellectual disability and First Nations communities. The session will explore what is needed to clarify responsibilities and create coordinated pathways forward. Challenge 2: Gender Equality and Intersectionality Gender Impact Assessments (GIAs) are mandatory for councils in Victoria but remain inconsistent or absent in many other jurisdictions. We will discuss how GIAs support community wellbeing, why consistent intersectional analysis matters and how councils across Australia can strengthen gender‑responsive planning, policy and service delivery. Challenge 3: Emergency Management Clear, accessible communication before and during emergencies is essential for people with disability to make informed choices and stay safe. This need is even more critical in regional and remote communities. The session will focus on improving partnerships, strengthening communication channels and ensuring people are aware of the facilities and supports available in emergency situations. Across all three challenges, the webinar will highlight practical actions councils can take to clarify their roles, maximise impact within budget constraints and lead confident, community‑wide approaches to disability inclusion. Join us to explore how local government can turn responsibility into leadership and create more inclusive, equitable and resilient communities for all.

In November 2025, Parliament passed significant reforms to Australia’s national environmental law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). These reforms introduce new national environmental standards, new institutions and changes to how environmental assessments and approvals operate. Watch the webinar recording This webinar provides an opportunity for participants to ask questions directly of officials from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) about the EPBC Act reforms and what they mean in practice. This is a Q&A-focused session. Participants are required to watch DCCEEW’s short video explainer on the environmental law reforms before attending. The webinar will not provide a general overview of the reforms and will focus almost exclusively on answering participant questions. The video explainer outlines: · how Australia’s environmental laws work · what has changed under the EPBC Act reforms · the role of new national institutions and standards · when changes will commence and where to find further information. 👉 Watch the video explainer before the webinar: Environmental law reforms: video explainer – DCCEEW This webinar is intended for practitioners, policy officers and stakeholders who have already familiarised themselves with the reforms and are seeking clarification on specific aspects of implementation, timing and implications.

Local governments are uniquely placed to drive disability inclusion through employment, education and community leadership. People with disability are residents, ratepayers, employees and active community members who interact with council services every day. But unclear roles and responsibilities across local, state and Commonwealth governments along with unconscious bias and constrained resources can limit progress. Watch the webinar recording here. View the webinar presentations: Preventing Everyday Harm and Improving Community Attitudes | Professor Sally Robinson, Flinders University Introduction to the Disability Inclusion Community of Practice | Alexandra Bignell, City of Casey (Victoria) Employment, Education & Community Attitudes: Why They Matter | Haley Zilberberg, City of Maribyrnong (Victoria) Local Government Challenges and Solutions Education: Cyndi Neuzerling, City of Playford (South Australia) Employment: Scott Taylor, City of Ryde (New South Wales) Community Attitudes: Erika Everitt, City of Stirling (Western Australia)   This practical webinar explored how councils can move from intent to impact across three key challenges: Challenge 1: Education – Unclear Roles and Responsibilities What is local government’s role in lifelong learning and inclusion? Challenge 2: Employment – Addressing Unconscious Bias From advertising and interview processes to job design and workplace supports, councils influence both internal employment practices and local labour markets. Challenge 3: Community Attitudes – Leadership, Participation and Visibility How can councils shift attitudes and demonstrate the return on social investment? This session will explore visible leadership, inclusive representation and meaningful participation in civic life. Across all three challenges, the webinar focused on practical actions councils can take to clarify their roles, maximise impact within budget constraints, and lead confident, community-wide approaches to disability inclusion. This program includes four webinars for anyone in local government working to strengthen disability inclusion: Webinar 1 – Education, Employment & Community Attitudes 📅 24 March (1pm – 3pm AEDT) How councils can influence education and employment outcomes, shift community attitudes, and address barriers using local programs and partnerships. Webinar 2 – Safety, Justice, Gender Equality & Emergency Management 📅 9 April (1pm – 3pm AEST) Local government’s role in creating safer, fairer communities and ensuring emergency management practices are inclusive and accessible. Webinar 3 – Housing, Homelessness & Community Supports 📅 7 May (1pm – 3pm AEST) How councils contribute to accessible housing, homelessness prevention, and strong community support systems, featuring practical, evidence‑based examples. Webinar 4 – Participation, Community Life & the Built Environment 📅 4 June (1pm – 3pm AEST) Strengthening participation, inclusion, and universal design in local environments through planning, community engagement, and infrastructure design.  

Watch the webinar recording here. View the webinar presentations: ALGA | Housing Australia | Polis Partners Join Housing Australia and Polis Partners for a practical briefing on the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) round 3 and how councils can engage with it effectively. The session will also walk through the new Guide for Local Councils: The Delivery of Affordable Housing, a council-focused resource grounded in real-world case studies from across Australia. Local governments are being asked to do more to support the delivery of affordable and social housing, often without clear guidance on pathways, partners, or funding levers. This webinar is designed to address that gap directly. You will hear directly from Housing Australia on how the HAFF works in practice, what makes a strong local government proposition, and where councils can add value through land, partnerships, planning, and enabling infrastructure. Polis Partners will then step through the Guide, highlighting proven delivery models, governance approaches, and lessons learned from councils that are already active in affordable and social housing. This is a working session, not a high-level overview. Councils considering their role in affordable housing delivery, or looking to strengthen existing programs, will leave with clearer options, practical examples, and a better understanding of how to engage with HAFF-backed projects.