Bathurst Information and Neighbourhood Centre Inc (BINC) is a not-for-profit, incorporated community organisation originally formed in 1976 to provide a variety of community welfare services to people in the locality of Bathurst Regional Council area. 

Bathurst Information and Neighbourhood Centre Incorporated] is an organisation governed by a volunteer Management Committee voted in at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) by the members of the organisation.

Roles and Philosophy of Neighbourhood Centres

(Adapted from the Local Community Services Association’s (LCSA) document:  ‘Neighbourhood Centre Policy’ April 2003.)

All Neighbourhood Centres share some common principles and philosophies about their purpose or role. These come under three broad categories:

1. affirmative action towards disadvantaged people and groups; 
2. local participation and control; and
3. community development role.

Neighbourhood Centres follow these according to the resources and skills they have available.

Affirmative Action

Neighbourhood Centres recognise that resources must be directed towards the most disadvantaged and least powerful groups in the community. The development of community networks, mutual support and collective action can improve quality of life for an entire community. Neighbourhood Centres offer staff with social policy knowledge and social action skills which builds on local community resources.

Opportunities, resources and power are not equally available to all people. Particular groups and individuals experience disadvantage and discrimination. They may include:

• Koori (Aboriginal) people
• people from non English speaking backgrounds, ethnic or racial minorities, recent migrants or refugees
• women
• people with physical, intellectual or psychiatric disabilities and their families
• people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transsexuals
• sole parents, carers and others with family responsibilities, families under stress or in crisis
• people with chronic health conditions
• people with low incomes
• people outside the paid workforce, particularly long term unemployed
• people excluded because of attitudes toward their old age or youth
• people isolated by lack of services, transport and distance.

Neighbourhood Centres are based on the belief that all people have equal right to the benefits and opportunities of our society. Priority is given to particular disadvantaged groups within each local community, according to the changing characteristics of that community in order to share these benefits and opportunities.

Local Participation and Control

Neighbourhood Centres are based on the belief that local action can affect local issues and concerns. These changes can influence wider change and development.

Participation by service users and members of the community provide direct accountability for Neighbourhood Centres. Both Neighbourhood Centres and government policy hold that local residents and groups can identify community needs, plan and develop effective services, and take part in the management and control of those activities. Neighbourhood Centres belong to their local communities.

When people face problems, they turn first to families, friends and neighbours. Neighbourhood Centres are an extension of this local, familiar support and aid network. They aim to be friendly places where consumers and community members are treated in an integrated way (as 'whole' people) and know they are welcome.

Neighbourhood Centres are different from other more bureaucratic services which often only deal with one part of the person. Because Neighbourhood Centres are for the whole community, they do not stigmatise and marginalise individuals or groups whose needs are greater. They integrate a range of services and activities into one organisation which is accessible to all in the community.

At the same time, there are conflicts and competition in all communities. Neighbourhood Centres believe that priority should go to those people who have traditionally been excluded from participation, from access to information, and from access to resources. Local skills, knowledge and understanding provide the foundation on which Neighbourhood Centres build new and different skills and understandings to tackle problems and issues.
Neighbourhood Centre services may be built on a community of interest or a geographic community.

Community Development Role

Neighbourhood Centres believe that the effects of social problems can be reduced or eliminated by working on the causes of problems as well as the symptoms. Neighbourhood Centres resource and support those most affected by the problems and issues to become active agents instead of being encouraged to remain passive dependants in the welfare system. Self help, mutual support, community education and collective action are Neighbourhood Centre strategies.

There is a place and a need for crisis community services which deal with immediate problems and dangers. Neighbourhood Centres developed to ensure that these short term and emergency responses are complemented by long term, developmental and preventive action. As local community needs change, Neighbourhood Centres alter their work and priorities. Community development is the service strategy which underpins all Neighbourhood Centre functions.  This developmental role is centred on increasing access, equity and participation. Neighbourhood Centres are flexible, innovative and responsive to their local communities.

Summary of Values

Neighbourhood and Community Centres believe in:

• the right of people to make choices in their own lives;
• the right of people to dignity, respect, privacy and confidentiality;the right of people to be valued as individuals;
• the right of people to access services on a non-discriminatory basis;
• the right of the community to accountable and responsive services.