Surf Coast Shire Council has adopted an updated Community Engagement Policy to strengthen how Council involves the community in decisions that affect them.
Council adopted the updated policy during its September Council meeting following feedback from the community as part of a policy review.
Community feedback showed strong support for Council to engage early, clearly explain what the community can influence, demonstrate how feedback has shaped decisions, and provide a mix of online and face-to-face opportunities to participate.
Councillor Liz Pattison said the updated policy would help community members understand how they could have their say.
"Good engagement starts with being clear about what the community can influence and giving people meaningful opportunities to have their say," Cr Pattison said.
"This policy strengthens our commitment to engaging early, listening to our community and being transparent about how feedback is considered in Council decisions."
The updated policy includes:
- A plain English re-write to make the policy clearer and easier for everyone to understand.
- Clearer guidance about when Council will engage with the community and when informing the community may be the most appropriate approach.
- Feedback gathered from stakeholders during the review.
- Continued alignment with the engagement principles set out in the Local Government Act 2020.
Council has also revoked a separate Capital Works Engagement Policy and incorporated the engagement requirements for capital works projects into the revised Community Engagement Policy, providing greater consistency in how Council approaches engagement across the organisation.
Council Officers will now develop a public facing Community Engagement Framework to support the implementation of the policy and provide practical guidance on how Council will engage with the community.
The Community Engagement Policy is required under section 55 of the Local Government Act 2020.
The full policy will be available to read on the Council website via the Council Policies page
