Friday,
20 September 2024
Sister and Friendship City policy endorsed by Council

Hilltops Council have voted to endorse the Draft Sister and Friendship City policy at its most recent Ordinary meeting.

The draft policy was voted to be put on public exhibition at the May ordinary meeting for the public to submit feedback or comments and was returned for endorsement at the July meeting.

According to the report submitted to Councillors one submission was received from representatives of the Boorowa Museum which outlined an existing Twin Town relationship between Boorowa and Clonoulty in Ireland.

"The relationship is aimed at fostering a mutual understanding and respect between the towns," the report read.

According to the report during the public exhibition period research was also conducted into a relationship between the former Young Shire Council and Golden, Colorado, however no record of this relationship was found by Council staff.

"Hilltops Council has made a commitment to participate in Sister City relationships which establish and maintain friendships with other communities throughout the world," the report read.

The draft policy is aimed at providing a framework for Hilltops Council to interact with domestic and international parties with an objective to ensure that Sister Cities, Friendship Cities, international relationships and other agreements are relevant and effective and bring symbiotic economic, social and cultural belief.

The main objectives of the Sister and Friendship City policy is to:

  • promote and encourage international information exchange and liaise between Local Government, business leaders and the wider community,
  • enhance and promote the image of Hilltops Council and Australian Local Governments internationally,
  • promote an understanding between people at all levels and of different cultures,
  • promote and develop economic, trade, cultural, educational, policy, technical, social, arts and other beneficial exchanges and
  • foster international understanding.

"This Sister and Friendship City Policy shall be reviewed within 12 months of an election, and thereafter at intervals of no greater than four years," the report read.

"This policy commences on and from the date of adoption by Hilltops Council as listed in the document history and replaces all previous versions."

Join our mailing list

Subscribe to our newsletter

The recommendation to endorse the draft policy was moved by Cr Brian Ingram and Cr Joanne Mackay and was passed unanimously.

0 comment

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Read and post comments with a
digital subscription.

or SUBSCRIBE
View our subscription options