Community groups wanting to deliver projects on Council land will be guided through a new streamlined process to ensure their proposal has the best chance of success.
The Guidelines for Community-Led Projects and an online application portal will help groups prepare and pitch their initiative so that key information critical to gaining Council support is included for assessment.
Mayor Patricia White said Council receives many requests from community members who want to use their valuable skills and experience to improve their neighbourhoods. Projects included park benches and shelters, to more complex initiatives such as sporting clubhouses.
"Many wonderful projects have been delivered by residents in partnership with Council and it is critical that we have a robust and accountable process in place to help bring ideas to life safely and in line with relevant codes and standards," Cr White said.
"Construction and building works are high-risk by nature so capturing information around resourcing, funding and scope from the very start will allow Council staff to advise applicants of the likelihood of a successful outcome and partner with them during the delivery phase," she said.
"Our goal is to balance fiscal responsibility while working closely with resident groups to help deliver Community-Led Projects that benefit the community."
Council adopted the new Community-Led Projects policy and guidelines in December 2024. Following a positive pilot of the new online application form and process, the Community-Led Project portal is now live and can be accessed via council's website.
The portal generates a centralised register, accessible to relevant staff across the organisation, and ensures consistency for all applicants. Visitors to the page can also find a comprehensive guide on how to plan for and apply for a Community-Led Project, in addition to information on the requirements, obligations and risks associated with delivering a project.
Council assessment is based on alignment with strategic plans, financial implications, community support, resourcing and risk. Community-Led Projects that do not align with relevant criteria may not be supported.
Feedback received so far as part of Council's review of the Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan also showed a strong level of interest from groups who wanted to work closely with Council and sought a clearer picture on how to better understand risk and deliver a successful project in partnership with Council.
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