Your say on how you Have Your Say!
Help shape how Golden Plains Shire keeps you informed and involves you in decisions
We deliver hundreds of projects, services and decisions every year. All our decisions affect people’s daily lives in different ways.
We want to understand what the people who live, work and enjoy the Golden Plains Shire expect so we can communicate and engage in ways that are relevant, timely and meaningful.
Complete the survey and you could go in the draw to win a $250 Prezzee voucher.*
Overview
This review will help Council better understand:
- The information our community wants to receive
- The best ways to share news, updates and opportunities to have your say
- When people expect to be informed, consulted or involved in decisions
- What helps people feel heard throughout the process
- Practical opportunities to improve communication and engagement across the Shire.
Come say hello!
We’ll be out and about in the community throughout July and August. Drop by to have a chat and share your thoughts.
*Terms and conditions apply. View full terms and conditions.
Date: Saturday 25 July
Time: 10am – 2pm
Friday 31 July - all Golden Plains Mobile Library stops: Cape Clear, Haddon, Linton, Smythesdale
Thursday 13 August - all Golden Plains Mobile Library stops: Meredith, Dereel, Rokewood
Date: Saturday 1 August
Time: 9am – 1pm
Date: Saturday 1 August
Time: 1.30pm – 3pm
Date: Saturday 15 August
Time: 9am – 1pm
Communication is about keeping people informed and sharing key details.
Engagement is about inviting people to contribute to or influence a decision before it is made.
Sometimes a project only requires communication. Other times, community engagement helps shape the outcome.
Yes, where there is an opportunity for influence.
Community engagement is designed to give you a say on key areas where you can influence.
Community feedback is one of several factors Council considers alongside legislation, safety, technical advice, available funding and long-term planning. The level of influence always depends on the type of project and the decisions available (e.g. is an element of the project flexible).
Council delivers hundreds of projects, services and operational decisions every year.
Some decisions are routine (like our annual budget) or required by legislation (like planning permits). Others have greater opportunities for community input because different options are available (Community Vision process every 10 years).
The Communication and Engagement Strategy aims to provide clearer guidance for Council and community about when and how the community will be involved.
All feedback on how you want to be engaged will be reviewed alongside feedback from Councillors, Council staff and community groups.
This information will help develop Golden Plains Shire's future Communications and Engagement Strategy that will support clearer guidance, transparency and consistency in how, when and why we engage with you.
Council provides a wide range of services that support everyday life, including:
- maintaining local roads and drains
- collecting household waste and recycling
- managing parks, playgrounds and sporting facilities
- planning and development
- libraries
- Maternal and Child Health services
- kindergartens and children's services
- animal management
- community events and grants
- supporting local communities and businesses
Council manages many local roads across the Shire, but not every road. Some roads are managed by the Victorian Government through the Department of Transport and Planning.
Council can only maintain roads that fall under its responsibility and develops an annual plan to best manage ongoing maintenance. You can currently help us identify priorities and actions over the next 10 years to improve safety for all road users, including drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists as part of our new Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan (2027–2037). More details can be found on the Road Safety Strategy page.
Some projects have limited opportunities for community influence because they are required by legislation, emergency works, maintenance activities or funding conditions.
Council currently shares a lot of different information across many channels, but we know not everyone receives information in the same way. As part of this engagement, we want to better understand:
- what people want to know and the level of detail required
- how they'd like to receive information about planned and/or reactive projects
- which projects they expect updates about and how often
- when more detailed communication is valuable
Sometimes Council seeks feedback to understand local experiences, identify issues or improve how a project is delivered.
At other times, community feedback helps not only to shape future plans but assist in choosing between different options.
When we seek feedback, we want to be clear about what can and can't change to give you more clarity on how your feedback will inform or influence the decisions.
Not every suggestion can be implemented, but all feedback helps improve Council's understanding of community priorities.
Our role as Local Government means we must always look to balance:
- available funding
- legal obligations
- safety
- fairness across communities
- technical feasibility
- long-term priorities
Community feedback is a great support to Council to help identify valuable ideas and community needs.