17°C | Wednesday September 11, 2024 
11 June 2024
By Hannah Wilcox
Federal MP Kylea Tink is set to host a workshop to combat racism within the North Sydney community as the country’s social cohesion hits a record low.
The session will be held between 5.30pm to 7.30pm on June 13 at the ground floor of the Lane Cove Hub.
Locals will have a change to engage in discussion with a panel, consisting of Tink and Together for Humanity’s Kate Xavier.
Various community participants including senior religious leaders, P&C members, Men’s Sheds, DV shelter operators, sports coaches/presidents, senior high school student leadership bodies, and cultural centre volunteers will also have their say.
It will focus on demonstrating practical skills for fostering belonging and encouraging ‘upstander’ behaviour to bring the area’s diverse community together.
“We want everyone in our community to feel a sense of belonging, making North Sydney a place where our diverse community can thrive,’ Tink said.
She believes it is crucial for community leaders to come together, engage in meaningful dialogue, and lead by example in fostering inclusive communities.
Scanlon Foundation’s Mapping Social Cohesion project found the nation’s social cohesion is at lowest it’s ever been since the project began in 2007, the Guardian reported.
A barometer of social wellbeing, measuring belonging, worth, participation, acceptance and rejection, social inclusion and justice; the measure has declined by four points over the past 12 months.
Since November 2020 – the peak of social cohesion recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic – the index has plummeted 13 points.
The workshop is free to attend.
It comes as Tink welcomes the electrification of buses in the LGA as a part of the NSW Government’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The multi-billion dollar program will see the state’s 8,000 plus diesel and natural gas public transport buses transitioned into zero emissions technology – set to be complete in Greater Sydney by 2035.
“I strongly welcome the $115 million in funding for an electric bus depot in Macquarie Park, which includes funding for upgrading depots in Willoughby and North Sydney,” Tink said late last month.
“This is great news for residents of North Sydney and something I have been advocating strongly for.”
“Electrification of our public transport network will bring quieter, more sustainable transport options, and improve the commute for our community,” she added.
Tink believes the switch will also see a drop in transport emissions which will benefit in the fight against climate change.
“The Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Consultation Roadmap released this week highlights that without further action, transport will be Australia’s highest emitting sector by 2030,” she continued.
“We need to urgently decarbonise our transport sector, and this is a welcome step in the right direction.”