Wellbeing
Serving as a Councillor can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be demanding. Councillors are often required to balance Council responsibilities with work, family and community commitments, while navigating complex issues and responding to community expectations.
Looking after your physical and mental wellbeing is important to your effectiveness as a Councillor and your ability to serve the community. Councillors are encouraged to maintain healthy boundaries, manage workloads appropriately, seek support when needed and take advantage of opportunities to build resilience and wellbeing throughout their term.
Work Health and Safety
The City of Clarence is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, volunteers and other persons at the workplace (such as Councillors and members of the public).
While Councillors are not involved in the day-to-day management of workplace health and safety, under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 you have a responsibility to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others while undertaking council-related activities.
This includes complying with relevant safety requirements, participating in inductions and training where required, reporting hazards or incidents, and following council procedures when attending worksites, events or other council facilities.
Councillors must comply with the council’s work health and safety policies, procedures, and reasonable instructions. Further, due diligence includes taking reasonable steps to understand council’s work health and safety framework.
If you become aware of a safety concern during your duties as a Councillor, you should notify the Chief Executive Officer as soon as possible.
Read through our Work, Health and Safety Policy.
You can also find information on a review of the workplace health and safety of the local government sector on the LGAT Member Portal.
Respectful workplace culture
The City of Clarence is committed to fostering a culture of respect, kindness and constructive engagement. As a Councillor, you play an important role in setting the tone for how people interact with one another, both within council and across the broader community.
Council’s Kindness Starts Here campaign recognises that behind every email, phone call, social media comment and Council decision are real people who care deeply about their community. Whether engaging with residents, fellow Councillors or council employees, you are encouraged to communicate with empathy, professionalism and respect.
Similarly, the Lift the Tone campaign, led by the Local Government Association of Tasmania, promotes respectful public debate and encourages all Tasmanians to stand against abuse, intimidation and personal attacks directed at elected members and local government employees. The campaign reinforces the principle that people can disagree without being disagreeable, and that healthy communities are built through respectful dialogue rather than hostility.
As a Councillor, you can help create a positive governance culture by:
- treating others with courtesy, dignity and respect
- listening to different views, even when you disagree
- focusing on issues rather than individuals
- communicating constructively and professionally
- supporting a safe and inclusive environment for discussion and debate
- modelling the behaviours you wish to see in the community.
Robust discussion and differing opinions are a healthy part of local government. However, respectful communication should always underpin how we engage with one another. By leading through example, Councillors help build trust, strengthen relationships and contribute to a more connected and resilient Clarence community.
Where to seek support
If you require support during your term as a Councillor, support may be available through:
- the Mayor
- the Chief Executive Officer
- the Employee Assistance Program (see below)
Councillors are encouraged to seek assistance early if they are experiencing challenges related to wellbeing, workplace interactions, safety concerns, workload pressures or other matters affecting their ability to perform their role.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
EAP provides free and confidential support for a range of personal and work-related concerns, including mental health and wellbeing, stress, relationships, financial pressures, and family challenges. Help is available 24/7.
For more information on how to access the EAP, please visit the links or call:
- Access EAP– 1800 818 728
- Positive Solutions– 1800 064 039