Draft Community Engagement Policy feedback sought

Published on 14 January 2021

Gannawarra Shire Council is encouraging residents to have their say on Council’s Draft Community Engagement Policy, which will guide the delivery of Council’s community engagement process.

Initially presented at the December 2020 Council Meeting, feedback on the draft policy will continue to be accepted up to 5pm on Friday, 22 January 2021.

“This draft policy recognises Council’s acknowledgement that engagement should be a planned process that aims to work with our community and stakeholders to shape decisions and actions in the delivery of Council’s services,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

The Draft Community Engagement Policy replaces the need to undertake 28-day consultation processes, highlighting that there are different levels of engagement with the community depending on the type of decision that is needed to be made.

“These processes are outlined in Council’s Community Engagement Strategy 2020-2025, which will see Council innovate the way it engages with its community. This includes more interactive and online engagement and a focus on working with the community on project planning,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“This draft policy also further implements the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum of Inform; Consult; Involve; Collaborate; and Empower into Council’s operations.”

Copies of the Draft Community Engagement Policy can be inspected online at Council’s Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang, as well as online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/publicnotices.

Feedback will be accepted in writing via email to council@gannawarra.vic.gov.au; by post to PO Box 287, Kerang VIC 3579; or online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/publicnotices