Feedback accepted up to 5pm Thursday, 16 May 2024.
Residents were encouraged during April and May 2024 to have their say on Council's reviewed Draft Flag Policy and Community Flag Schedule, which guides how requests to fly flags outside Council buildings or on Council-managed flag poles are considered.
Adopted in May 2023, the original policy governs the flying of flags outside the Kerang Council Building and Garden Park, Cohuna, locations in the municipality where flags can be flown on a temporary basis, and the process to apply for a request to fly additional flags.
Council officers reviewed the document in early 2024, with the only change recommended being that all requests to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags outside of Council buildings at half-mast be directed to the Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) for approval, with MDAS to pass on approved requests to Council’s Chief Executive Officer for actioning.
To view the reviewed Draft Flag Policy, please click here(PDF, 309KB).
To view the reviewed Community Flag Schedule, please click here(PDF, 162KB).
Rainbow Flag engagement
As part of this engagement process, residents were also encouraged to provide feedback regarding a Northern District Community Health request for the Rainbow Flag to fly on Council-managed community flagpoles on the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex discrimination and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), held annually on 17 May, from 2025 onwards.
IDAHOBIT Day marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s removal of homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, as well as celebrates LGBTIQA+ people globally, and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination.
How residents had their say
Residents were able to have their say on the Revised Draft Flag policy, Community Flag Schedule and flying the Rainbow Flag annually on IDAHOBIT Day in the following ways:
- By completing a Have Your Say form.
- By emailing Council.
- By writing to Council.