A community where people are engaged and contribute to its wellbeing is a strong community. The efforts and contributions made by this year’s local Australia Day Awards recipients shows us a great example of this.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Another vital part of building a strong community is for Council to receive local input on issues that affect our valley. Councillors consider the views of residents, businesses and community groups when making decisions on matters that are brought before Council. Community views are important as they help shape the plans we put in place for the community’s future.
Council provides a number of ways for people to be involved. Our new online engagement portal, Your Say Macleay, is an easy to access way to share ideas and aspirations. To keep the community informed Your Say Macleay provides information on the progress of projects, gives updates, makes it easy to lodge a submission, or to see how feedback is being used. The annual Community Satisfaction Survey, held last week, is also a form of engagement.
These types of external surveys are used by many Councils and businesses to gain customer feedback. Our residents are randomly selected from across the Shire by an external agency and are asked questions on how Council’s organisation delivers services and facilities.
Another way Council stays connected and invites community participation is through community workshops, such as the ones held in December for the Crescent Head Area Master Plan.
At certain times Council holds face-to-face information sessions to give residents and businesses the opportunity to get the facts and ask questions on topical issues, and to submit ideas.
A great example gets underway next week for the Kempsey CBD Flood Risk Management Study and Plan, with two sessions planned – one for the community and one for business. The future management of Kempsey’s flood-prone land is an important issue. It is very important that we listen to and understand your views.