Golden Plains Shire Council is seeking public feedback on its Draft Community Engagement Policy as part of its commitment to improve how engagement is undertaken by Council.
At its November Meeting on Tuesday, Council endorsed the Draft Community Engagement Policy to go out for public exhibition and feedback from today to 11 January 2021.
As part of new requirements introduced under the Local Government Act 2020 (the Act), all councils are required to adopt and maintain a Community Engagement Policy, and have one adopted on or before 1 March 2021. Council’s Draft Policy provides a clear and succinct process that improves Council’s existing practises to ensure deliberative engagement opportunities are well planned, inclusive, accessible and appropriate.
In ensuring compliance with the Act, the Draft Policy has been developed to give effect to the Act’s community engagement principles and define the deliberative engagement practices that will applied to the Community Vision, Council Plan, Financial Plan, Asset Plan and any other engagement processes as determined by Council, including the making of local laws, budget and policy development and strategies.
In discussing the Policy at the meeting, it was noted that this document meets the strategic requirements of the Act, and that Council looks forward to engaging with the community in detail next year on its commitment for community engagement, as part of the development of the new Community Engagement Strategy.
Residents are invited to provide written submissions on the Draft Policy until Thursday, 11 January 2021. Golden Plains Shire locals can have their say on the Draft Community Engagement Policy, by:
- Email to [email protected]; or
- Mail to Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC 3331.
The Draft Community Engagement Policy is available at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations. Residents can also request a hard copy of the document at a Council Customer Service Centre at 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn or 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale or by calling 5220 7111.
Golden Plains Shire Council Mayor Cr Helena Kirby encourages Shire residents to have their say on the new policy.
“Council is committed to engaging with our residents and stakeholders when making decisions that impact the community. This policy sets out the broad outline of how we will do just that over the next five years.
“The Draft Policy is part of our commitment to improve Council’s engagement practices and sets out what the community can expect from Council in this space. As part of this policy, we commit to provide feedback to the community on the outcome of any engagement undertaken, so the community knows we have heard their views.
“I encourage all interested residents to have a look at the Draft Policy and share their thoughts on the document during the public exhibition period.”
Council will consider the final documents for adoption at its February 2021 Meeting of Council. For more information about the Draft Community Engagement Policy, email [email protected] or call 5220 7111.