Monash Council is inviting our community to play a role in shaping the key strategies and plans that provide direction for their council.
There are different ways to get involved:
- Share your feedback and ideas in our online survey, with the opportunity to win a $100 Coles Myer gift card.
- Nominate to be a member of our Community Panel and be part of a deliberative engagement process that will provide input and feedback to review and make recommendations on community plans and strategies
- Talk to our team in person at one of our listening posts in June.
Feedback collected will directly shape Council's future services and priorities as outlined in a reviewed Community Vision, Council Plan, Health and Wellbeing Plan, Financial Plan, Asset Plan and our 2025-26 Annual Budget.
Monash Mayor, Cr Nicky Luo, wants to see as many people as possible get involved.
"Consultation with our community is central to what we do at Monash. This can include asking locals what they want to see in an upgraded playground, working with residents to make sure Council projects are complementary to their neighbourhood, and asking people about the future use of our open space sites.
"This is an exciting project where we're asking our community to get involved and shape Monash by contributing to Council's most important community plans and strategies.
"These plans and strategies will impact all residents in Monash as they guide the day-to-day operations of Council and shape our longer-term decisions.
"This includes the types of services we provide to the community, where and what capital works we undertake, which facilities we prioritise our investment in, and how we can best support the health and wellbeing of the community and environment.
"It's crucial that we get great input from the community, so I encourage people to get involved by doing our online survey, nominating for the community panel or talking to our team directly at one of our listening posts in June," added Cr Luo.
Visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/vision to:
- Do our community survey before 14 July for the opportunity to win a $100 Coles Myer gift card.
- Nominate to be a member of our community panel (nominations close 23 June).
- See where our team will be out and about at listening posts in June.
More about the community panel process
What is a Community Panel?
A Community Panel is a group of people who will sign up to share their ideas about the future of Monash. Through a deliberative engagement process the panel will provide input and feedback to review and make recommendations on Monash's existing Community Vision as well as the below key strategies and plans:
- 2025-2029 Council Plan
- 2025-2029 Health and Wellbeing Plan
- 2025-2034 Financial Plan, including Revenue and Rating Plan
- 2025-2034 Asset Plan
- 2025-2026 Annual Budget.
Why do we need a new community vision?
Our Community Vision shapes decision-making by informing key strategic plans and strategies. A huge amount of community work and input went into our first Community Vision in 2021, and we're keen to work with our community panel to make sure it still reflects what is important for people in Monash.
How and when will this happen?
It is important our panel members represent the diverse backgrounds and lifestyles that make up Monash. Panel members will meet and work together and hear from speakers on topics and discuss issues in small groups. Facilitators will make sure everyone has their say. You don't need any prior knowledge - we'll provide all the information you need. We're also appointing an experienced and independent consultant to help us oversee this process.
We expect that there will be four sessions with the community panel across August to November later this year, with a mix of in-person and online sessions expected. Once we have confirmed the panel we'll confirm preferred dates with the group.
How is the panel selected?
After nominations close on 23 June Council, nominations will be reviewed to ensure we have a group of people who represent the range of backgrounds and people that make up the Monash community.
Can everyone be on the panel?
No. The panel is open to anyone aged over 16, with parent or guardian permission required for anyone aged 16 or 17.
The following people are not able to be panel members: Council staff or family members, current Councillors or family members, or anyone running as a candidate in Monash and their family members in the upcoming local government elections.
Will panel members be paid?
Yes. We understand that taking part in the panel will be a commitment of time and we also hope to gain a lot from your experience, background, interests, and thoughts. Community panel members will be compensated with a $100 Coles Myer gift card for all community panel sessions they attend.
