Eurobodalla Shire Council adopted a new community engagement framework and charter at Tuesday’s council meeting, outlining how Council will engage with residents about projects, plans, and major issues that have an impact on the community.
The framework provides guidance for best practice in planning, designing and evaluating community engagement activities, while the charter sets out expectations of both Council and the community.
Mayor Liz Innes said how best to engage with the community was an issue Council had grappled with in the past.
“This framework gives greater clarity to the community as to how they can expect we will engage with them in the future,” she said.
“For us this is a step forward in ensuring that we wholeheartedly collaborate and engage with our community.
“Sometimes in the past we were criticised about how we engaged with our community and sometimes we have received positive feedback. This framework clearly sets out the pathway for genuine consultation.”
Council’s General Manager Catherine Dale said Council was committed to engaging with the community, however it was important to remember that engagement was a two-way street.
“Council works hard at communicating to the community through many different channels but the community also has a role to play,” she said.
“We ask community members to proactively access information, get involved in Council activities, be prepared to listen to new ideas and share their thoughts and feedback with us.
“There are always going to be different viewpoints on the best way to do things, and there will be decisions of Council that not everyone agrees with. They are constant challenges for all decision-makers, but that is democracy at work.” Media Release
