Find information below about community service forums working to improve the lives of residents in the Wingecarribee LGA.
Services can also sign up to the Wingecarribee Interagency Email List (managed by Highlands Community Centres) for regular updates from local services. Register your details by email to interagency@highlandscommunity.org.au.
The Wingecarribee Community Services Forum is an information exchange for community service organisations that are active within the Wingecarribee Shire. It is a great platform for local charities, community services and not-for-profit organisations to share information about their activities and learn about the work of other groups within the community.
Interagency meetings are held bi-monthly on a Tuesday morning at Council's Theatrette.
To attend or speak at the forum, contact the Community Relations Manager at Community Links: larry@communitylinks.org.au.
The Dementia Inclusive Southern Highlands (DISH) group was recently established to bring together individuals living with dementia, their carers and families, and service providers to advocate for improved services and the creation of dementia-friendly communities across the region.
DISH holds monthly meetings at the Civic Centre in Moss Vale. You can attend the meeting in person or online, if you're unable to get to the group. To find out more, contact dementia.inclusive.sh@gmail.com
The Southern Highlands Domestic Violence Forum is a local organisation comprised of government, non-government and volunteer members who work collaboratively to educate and advocate around domestic and family violence. The forum meets monthly at Council’s Civic Centre in Moss Vale.
For more information, email the Forum’s Secretary at shdvforum@gmail.com.
This local charity meets monthly in Bowral and is comprised of volunteers and agencies working together to prevent suicide. The group runs the yearly 'Hearts in the Park' event in October and supports other postvention initiatives. For more information, email shspp3@gmail.com.
The Wingecarribee Child, Youth and Family Forum brings together local services with the shared aim of improving outcomes for children, young people and their families in the Wingecarribee.
The group meets monthly at Council’s Civic Centre in Moss Vale. Meetings are in person.
For more information, email community.development@wsc.nsw.gov.au.
Supported by Macarthur Disability Services, the Wingecarribee Ageing Forum brings together local aged care sector representatives to share information, determine local needs and deliver training, information and workshops on current issues within Aged Care.
The forum meets every two months at Council’s Civic Centre in Moss Vale.
For more information, email sectorsupport@mdservices.com.au.
To find out more, or contact the network, visit their website.
2026 meeting dates:
Tuesday 24 February 2026 Wednesday 3 June 2026 Thursday 20 August 2026 Tuesday 17 November 2026
Council's Community Development Team work with a wide range of forums to understand and advocate for local needs. Current focus areas are outlined below.
Local Projects & Forums
Women’s Community Shelters and Hume Housing to build a women’s refuge in the Local Government Authority (LGA) in 2027 (announced, May 2025).
Stakeholders
Argyle Housing, Bowral Office
Local housing provider, including transitional housing. cssnorth@argylehousing.com.au
Vinnies Southern Highlands Homelessness Service, including Bowral Youth Refuge. Bowralyouthrefuge@vinnies.org.au
Lydia's Legacy Project Network
Local advocacy network or housing, faith-based groups and organisations. Contact: lydiaslegacy24@gmail.com
Sydney Alliance/CWWN (Camden Wollondilly Wingecarribee Network) hellocwwn@gmail.com (also a part of the Lydia Project Network)
Local Needs and Opportunities
Increase in social and community housing supported by targeted government investment.
Increase in mixed tenure housing development that includes social, affordable and market stock.
Increase in crisis accommodation to support people experiencing homelessness and victims of domestic violence locally.
Design and planning for social housing as a home, not a temporary step toward a ‘better home’.
Local Challenges
Lack of social housing and affordable housing for vulnerable residents, essential and low-income workers.
Lack of local crisis accommodation (only crisis housing is for youth and often at capacity).
Most homelessness is hidden from view (e.g. couch surfing, caravans, cars), so scale is underestimated.
An increase in large dwellings in the LGA over the last 10 years has prevented housing stock that is reflective of population needs (i.e. more affordable and smaller dwellings).
Less than 4% of available rentals are affordable for people on income support.
Over 20% of residents earn less than $800 per week, yet weekly median rent is $653.
Over 7000 young people (12 - 24 years) live in the Local Government Authority (LGA), representing over 13% of residents.
Local Projects and Forums
Wingecarribee Child Youth and Families Forum
Facilitated by Council's Community Development Team. Contact: mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
Attendees include staff from Community Health, school support and psychology services, police and youth command, youth services, domestic violence services and case workers.
Youth Council
A trial program which aims to engage young people in civic life, foster leadership and ensure young peoples’ perspectives are considered in decision making. More details can be found on this webpage.
Highlands Community Centres Incorporated
Provides youth focused programs and services at Highlands Youth Hub, Bowral.
www.highlandscommunity.org.au/youth-services
Ph: 02 4862 1122
Community Links Wellbeing
Community organisation offering mental health services and support to young people in Wollondilly and Wingecarribee.
www.communitylinks.org.au/mental-health-services/
Ph: 02 4683 2776
Continuous funding opportunities to support youth focused recreational, educational and social programs and events.
More transport services and active transport routes that are safe, inclusive and connected.
Housing development and government income support that enables young people to earn and learn locally without rental stress.
Targeted investment into more sport and recreational facilities that are inclusive, safe and accessible for young people across the LGA. Co-design principles integrated into planning process.
Greater subject choice and career opportunities to encourage young people to stay in the region for tertiary education.
Investment in community centres and social services to effectively support mental health and wellbeing, prevent crises such as homelessness or domestic violence, and break cycles of disadvantage.
In 2021, over 900 18–24-year-olds left the LGA; the only age group to decline in population.
Rental costs tend to be higher in Wingecarribee than neighbouring LGAs. Cost of living and rental affordability limit opportunities available post high school.
Mental health and wellbeing, bullying and climate change are key concerns facing local young people in the LGA.
Barriers to accessing recreation and educational activities prevents connection and participation in civic life (particularly transport).
By 2041, the number residents of retirement age are expected to increase by 40%. To compare, those of working age will increase by 4.8%. The percentage of elderly residents in the villages is expected to double.
Projects and Forums
Wingecarribee Ageing Forum
sectorsupport@mdservices.com.au.
Dementia Inclusive Southern Highlands
Local collaborative working towards a dementia friendly Wingecarribee.
dementia.inclusive.sh@gmail.com
South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Healthy Ageing Team
Supporting adults to stay active healthy and connected.
swslhd-healthyageing@health.nsw.gov.au
Needs and Opportunities
New developments offer mixed housing options for downsizers and increase opportunity to age in place.
Whole-of-community initiatives that raise awareness of dementia friendly spaces and services and training for customer facing staff.
Service presence in villages to improve access
Support for regular programs and events such as Seniors Week and age friendly sports and recreation.
Age friendly infrastructure design and improvements, especially improved footpaths and connectivity.
Accessible and age-friendly transport options, especially for villages.
Improved access to information about aged care support and services that are age friendly and Culturally and linguistically diverse) CALD specific.
Increased enrolments in falls prevention programs.
Increased availability of health services, especially mental health, respite, chronic and palliative care.
Support for programs that increase social connectivity and active ageing among older residents.
Challenges
Limited transport options and services, especially for village residents.
Footpaths - quantity and quality, particularly near essential services.
Footpaths are in the top five issues on which residents are most dissatisfied with Council.
Confusion around the aged care system and navigating supports.
Merging of health services across South-West Sydney, and geographical location in the SWSLHD health district, can reduce availability in WSC.
Lack of community health services for chronic and palliative care in the LGA.
Increase in dementia and falls related injury due to ageing population.
Increased risk of the impacts of loneliness among older residents on mental and physical health. In 2021, over 3000 older residents were living alone.
Nearly 3000 residents need help with their daily needs due to disability. Over 5000 are providing unpaid care to a person with a disability.
Forums and Projects
Council staff attend the Interagency and Child Youth and Family Forums, which includes disability services and NDIS providers.
Interagency: interagency@highlandscommunity.org.au
Highlands Child Youth and Family Forum: jeanne.duffy@sectorconnect.org.au
Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK): Residents can apply (through Council) for a master key to access accessible public toilets and facilities 24/7.
Breaking Barriers Wingecarribee: Federal, grant- funded program to support local sports clubs to learn about accessible sport and inclusive programs. Outcomes include training for clubs and inclusive Come and Try sports days for community during 2025. More information about the program is available in our Media Release about the initiative.
Sector Connect
Represents community services in the Wingecarribee and neighbouring LGAs.
Contact: office@sectorconnect.org.au
Southern Highlands Creative Space
Community outreach program for adults focusing on connection and creative learning in a safe and inclusive space.
Contact: creative.space@vinnies.org.au
Local leadership in inclusive and accessible employment to increase employment opportunities for people with a disability.
Greater awareness across community organisations and local businesses to increase inclusive services, programs and spaces
Easily accessible information about available services and facilities, particularly for those who are engaging with the NDIS for the first time.
Clarity around National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) changes and support in navigating a complex system.
Accessible infrastructure across the shire that supports inclusive access, sport and recreation.
Geographical location increases challenges for regional and rural communities.
Southern Highlands Domestic Violence Forum
The Southern Highlands Domestic Violence Forum is a local group comprised of government, non-government and volunteer members who work collaboratively to educate and advocate around domestic and family violence.
Contact shdvforum@gmail.com.
South-Western Sydney Domestic & Family Violence Alliance
Quarterly forum chaired by SWSDCJ and SWSLHD, sharing information between health services, local councils and community services in the South-West Sydney LGAs.
LoveBites High School Education Program
A Respectful Relationships program for high school students, designed by National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) and delivered by locally trained facilitators. Wingecarribee Shire Council (WSC) staff facilitate the Wingecarribee Love Bites committee and participate in delivering the program in high schools.
Pop In
Non-Government Organisation (NGO) wrap around domestic violence service, Moss Vale
www.popin.org.au
Southern Highlands Command Police
Domestic Violence Officer, Moss Vale
St Vincent de Paul Domestic Violence Support 02 4428 6230
Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA) Case Work (www.ywca.org.au)
NSW Health Education Centre Against Violence (EVAC)
Coercive control is present in all forms of domestic violence. It is persistent, controlling and traps victims in a relationship. The strongest predictor of high levels of violence is unequal power between men and women.
Regional and rural families experience domestic violence differently due to isolation, fewer services, and stigma that can prevent help seeking.
Financial abuse is common in cases of domestic violence and more common among older women and women with a disability.
Lack of crisis housing prevents help seeking among victims. Furthermore, the lack of affordable housing prevents families from recovery within their own community after leaving violence, forcing them to leave the LGA.
Funding, resources and local leadership to develop and implement a local, community-led plan that is: a) adequately resourced, b) guided by national and state frameworks, c) addresses all four pillars of prevention and d) includes all stakeholders for ‘whole-of’ approach.
Strengthening local partnerships to enable a whole-of-community approach.
Expand community education and training to wider workforce to recognise and respond to signs of coercive control or domestic violence.
Targeted prevention for local minority groups including Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
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