OBJECTIVE 1
Instilling a sense of CULTURAL and LIFESTYLE VITALITY
A culturally dynamic society is a society that is alive. Its citizens have a connectedness to place and a sense of community, participating and engaging in many and varied ways. Both residents and visitors can easily distinguish the uniqueness of the place in which they find themselves.
GOALS
The people of Camden want to see local arts and culture more widely promoted and recognised and wish to have a greater opportunity to express themselves and celebrate being part of the community. In Council's Cultural Mapping Project (2002), residents identified the following areas of arts and culture that need to be better addressed:
• The availability of and access to cultural and arts facilities (only 26% of residents indicated that they were satisfied with the current level of entertainment facilities available in the Camden LGA);
• The need for more community ownership of events and programs for culture and the arts; and
• Taking into account the various townships of Camden, more localised celebrations.
In Camden, the pressures for many of working outside the area and commuting long distances daily means that, apart from basic utilitarian tasks, there is little time to devote to things local. It is essential that, with these kinds of constraints in mind, programs are developed to reinforce Camden’s position in people’s hearts and minds as a home rather than a place to merely stay the night.
Recent focus on the lack of physical activity and the problem of obesity in young people has led towards a more ‘physically active’ model of recreation and leisure. In the 2025 Plan, Council acknowledges the need for this approach in terms of community physical health and safety, yet also accepts the need for more cultural and artistic components to sport and leisure.
By addressing emotional, physical, intellectual and creative needs from a cultural point of view - through lifestyle, personal expression and the arts, via strategic local programs and resources - the vitality and quality of life in the Camden LGA will be greatly enhanced.