The National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) is the largest annual gathering of local government leaders in Australia. Since 1994, council leaders have converged in Canberra for the NGA to advocate for better federal funding, policy reforms and effective partnerships. The national event regularly attracts more than 1000 delegates from around Australia and overseas, and provides an exciting opportunity for mayors, shire presidents and councillors to come together, network and consider the big issues for communities. Motions are now closed.  

Local governments are often the most visible point of contact for people experiencing housing stress, homelessness and social isolation. While councils do not control these systems, they play a critical role in shaping local responses and supporting inclusive communities. This practical webinar will explore three key challenges facing councils today: Accessible and affordable housing for people with disability Clarifying roles in responding to and preventing homelessness Strengthening inclusive community supports and “third places” that enable connection, participation and wellbeing Across all three challenges, the session will focus on practical actions councils can take to clarify their role, strengthen partnerships and move from response to prevention within existing constraints, with a strong focus on inclusion and intersectionality. Join us to explore how local government can support dignity, inclusion and community wellbeing, while creating more resilient and connected communities for all.

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.