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Public spaces influence the health and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual and other sexual and gender-diverse (LGBTQIA+) communities. However, there is minimal research to demonstrate the link between inclusive urban policy and planning and the wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ communities. Consequently, in this perspective, we reflect on our project, which offered foundational work for understanding LGBTQIA+ experiences of public spaces in Australia's three most populous urban centres - Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Our desk-based research approach provides a five-point evaluative framework to assess how local government areas (LGAs) accommodate LGBTQIA+ communities. We then present a recommendations framework for creating more inclusive local areas and public spaces. We propose that 'usualising' queerness in public spaces can lead to increased health and wellbeing for LGBTQIA+ communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the emergence of community strategic planning in the New South Wales (NSW) local government sector, against the backdrop of a series of broad influences ranging from increased interest in participatory democracy through to sustainable infrastructure provision. It provides an understanding of how community strategic planning has evolved over the past few decades to embody these influences. The paper concludes with reflections on some common challenges and opportunities experienced by localcouncils in NSW that have undertaken voluntary community strategic planning or are in the process of developing community strategic plans. Given underlying similarities in the emergence of participatory long-term strategic planningin local government around the world, many of the experiences associated with the preparation of community strategic plans in the NSW context are likely to be of relevance to those undertaking similar processes in other jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]