Grant District Council will proudly show solidarity and inclusion today with the flying of the rainbow flag.
At the request of Limestone Coast Connect, council will fly the iconic flag at its Mount Gambier office to symbolise its support for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
The request was tabled at council’s recent ordinary meeting and it was agreed to be an annual occurrence.
The flag will also be displayed inside the Port MacDonnell Community Complex.
This will not be the first occasion council has flown the rainbow flag.
Last year council committed to flying the symbolic flag during the Feast Festival.
The festival is held annually as part of Pridevember celebrations held throughout the month of November.
Chief executive Darryl Whicker said council has a policy for the flying of the rainbow flag during the festival and directed the discussion to corporate service director Gary Button.
Mr Button highlighted the request does sit outside council’s current policy as it is a request for a singular day.
Despite this, council agreed to display the flag and at the request of Councillor Gavin Clarke will continue to do so on a yearly basis in alignment with the day.
“This report is presented to council for consideration. There is currently no policy position to facilitate this request in council’s flag flying policy,” Mr Button said.
“This is a different request from the Feast Festival Rainbow Flag resolution and therefore a decision by council is required.”
Mr Button also acknowledged the need for a flagpole at the complex.
“Logistically, it’s going to be difficult to get a temporary flagpole for Port MacDonnell considering it may or may not be calm on that day,” he said.
Therefore, he recommended the flag be displayed inside the complex on this occasion.
