Feedback invited on Draft Community Engagement Policy and Strategy

Published on 11 December 2024

Council is inviting community feedback on its draft Community Engagement Policy and Community Engagement Strategy, which are currently on public exhibition.

In conjunction with the public exhibition, Council is also running a Community Engagement Survey to better understand how people prefer to connect and engage with Council and Councillors. As an added incentive, participants in the survey will go into the draw to win one of three $100 EFTPOS Gift Cards.

Feedback from the community and insights gathered through the survey will help staff refine the engagement documents, ensuring they reflect the community’s diverse needs and preferences.

The draft Policy and Strategy are part of the Council’s broader Engagement Framework, which, together with its Community Participation Plan, defines how the organisation and elected officials connect with and involve the community.

The documents cover a wide range of community interactions, from sharing information to active participation in government policy development and decision-making, and highlight diverse engagement methods, such as surveys, public meetings, social media, and traditional advertising.

Council’s approach to community engagement is guided by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) framework, using five levels of engagement: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, and Empower.

With an emphasis on respect, inclusivity and responsiveness to the community's evolving needs, the policy and strategy will provide guidance for Councillors, Council staff, and external partners on consultation principles and resources.

Visit Council’s website to provide feedback and take the survey www.svc.nsw.gov.au/public-exhibition.  Hard copies of the survey are also available at council’s customer service counters, Libraries and Childcare Centres.

Submissions are open until 5pm Monday 6 January 2025.

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