Golden Plains Shire Council is updating and strengthening its communication and community engagement approach to ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs and preferences of the community and is inviting residents to share how they would like to receive information and participate in Council decision-making.
Feedback gathered through this process will help inform the development of Council's new Communication and Engagement Strategy 2026–2030, which will guide how Council communicates with residents, connects with communities and creates opportunities for meaningful participation in decision-making over the next four years.
As communication methods and community expectations continue to evolve, Council is committed to ensuring its approach remains effective, accessible and responsive to the needs of people across the Shire.
As part of the consultation process, Council will be hosting a series of community pop-up sessions across the Shire, providing residents with an opportunity to share their feedback on the development of the Strategy.
Sessions will be held on:
- Saturday 25 July from 10am to 2pm, Inverleigh Football Club
- Friday 31 July - all Golden Plains Mobile Library stops
- Cape Clear, Haddon, Linton, Smythesdale
- Saturday 1 August from 9am to 1pm, Golden Plains Farmers’ Market
- Saturday 1 August from 1.30 to 3pm, Bannockburn Football & Netball Club
- Thursday 13 August - all Golden Plains Mobile Library stops
- Meredith, Dereel, Rokewood
- Saturday 15 August from 9am to 1pm, Smythesdale Country Market
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said community feedback will help shape a Communication and Engagement Strategy that is practical, transparent and community focused.
People connect with Council in different ways and at different times, whether it’s through a local project, a Council service, or an issue that matters to them. We want to hear from as many people as possible about what’s working well, what could be improved, and how they would like to receive information from Council, Cr Sharkey said.
We’re also keen to understand the community’s expectations around engagement, when people simply want to be kept informed, and when they would like opportunities to have a greater say in Council decisions. This feedback will help us ensure our approach is transparent, effective and reflects the needs of our community.
Feedback on the development of the Strategy is invited from Friday 24 July until 11.59pm, Sunday 6 September 2026 and can be completed here. The survey will also be available at Council’s Customer Hubs, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn, and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
Following the consultation period, community feedback will be considered as part of the development of the Strategy. Council will share what we heard and how it informed the final strategy in September 2026.
For further information, contact Council’s Communications & Engagement team at [email protected] or call 5220 7111.