When it comes to community engagement, no one knows when or how they'd like to have a say better than the local community.
This is why it's valuable for community members to provide feedback on Alpine Shire Council's draft Community Engagement Policy so we can better support your needs.
A requirement of the Local Government Act 2020 (LGA 2020), the Policy was originally adopted in February 2021.
Council has reviewed the current policy, making minor changes to clarify how it informs Council's advocacy approach, and is now asking the community for feedback.
Alpine Shire Mayor, John Forsyth, said the Policy is an important document to help guide Council staff in planning for and delivering community engagement activities, and to formalise Council's commitment to community engagement.
"The Policy highlights the importance of involving our community in Council decisions that impact them and is an essential part of how Council connects with, listens to, and serves the community," Cr Forsyth said.
"It applies to all community engagement activities undertaken by Council, and provides guidance including when to engage, methods of engagement, and how to assess the level of engagement required.
"This is especially important as Council starts to think about how we will work with the community to develop the next Council Plan."
The Policy also describes the type and form of community engagement proposed and includes deliberative engagement processes for long-term plans such as the Council Plan and Financial Plan."
Cr Forsyth emphasised just how important it was for people to have their say on the draft document.
"Empowering local voices in community engagement is essential, as nobody understands the timing and methods for meaningful input better than the community itself," he said.
"Your feedback will help inform future planning for community engagement and communication activities."
Cr Forsyth said Council is committed to improving community engagement, and launching its new online platform Engage Alpine in October last year was a big step in the right direction.
"This is a another opportunity to share with our community the new Engage Alpine platform. We invite others to join the over 800 people already registered and having a say on a number of projects and documents," Cr Forsyth said.
"We are mindful that not everyone is online, however, so would like to take this opportunity to find out from you how you'd like to find out news and information from Council, and how you prefer to have your say – whether it's in person, online, over the phone or by mail."
Community members can read and provide feedback on the draft Policy:
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Online at engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au
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In person at Council's Customer Service Centre in Bright, or libraries in Myrtleford and Mount Beauty
Submissions will close at 5pm on Friday, 29 May 2024.