WHEN, where and who can fly flags within the Strathbogie Shire has been defined by council with the adoption of a new Flag Flying Policy.

Presented to the March meeting of council, the 11–page document outlines when flags can be flown and who may request them at certain dates/times of the year.

Council most recently received a request to fly the Rainbow flag on International Day Against Homphobia, Biphobia and Transphobia to be held annually on May 17.

At the time of the request, council had no process in place to manage this request, or other community flag flying requests it may receive.

At council's December meeting, councillors resolved to develop a draft protocol for flying flags particularly using existing council owned poles in Binney Street, Euroa and High Street, Nagambie.

This draft policy was presented to council on March 25 for consideration and was duly adopted.

As a part of the development process, officers undertook benchmarking against other councils to provide insights into current practices and policies for community flag flying.

This policy will not apply to the four flag poles located at council's municipal office in Euroa.

The four flags flying permanently at this site are the Australian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Island and Taungurung flags.

These flags will continue to be flown, with no change.

Among the policies and procedures requests for flying flags must be submitted to council online or via hard copy and must be made at least six weeks prior to the start date of the proposed community flag flying event.

Only requests from community members residing in Strathbogie Shire applying as an individual or representing a community group or club operating in the shire, will be eligible for consideration.

Community members requesting to have a community flag flown, if successful, must supply their own flag/s and all flag/s must be professionally made and be in as new or in good condition with no tears and not faded.

Some of the flags already recognised by council include Harmony Week (orange flag), International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (rainbow flag), World Refugee Day (refugee national flag), United Nations Day (United Nations flag) and International Day for Tolerance (United Nations flag).