Why public particpitaion is vital for the new Council

The new regional Council will have eleven elected members (including the Mayor) to represent a population of approx. 87,000 residents, in which 59,343 are electors, (Dept L/Govt. web site 2007).

This equates to 5394 electors per Councillor. While each Councillor does indeed make decisions on behalf of the community, the reality is their personal views cannot possibly represent a community consensus. This is why it is so vitally important for the community to be continuously engaged in meaningful communication that ensures the views of the community form the basis of the decisions made on their behalf.

Although there are a number of statutory obligations which require public comment on important Council documents, local laws and policies, more needs to be done to ensure the community drives the important issues and big projects that Council undertake.

While many Council’s in the past have sort community involvement in particular initiatives or community based projects, often this has resulted in little more than going through the motions with little ownership felt by the broader community.

Council’s can do better and the new Fraser Coast Regional Council needs to do better given the diversity and unique character of each area within its boundaries.

The community’s views and expectations are paramount if the new Council is to unite the region in accordance with community expectations and needs.

Important documents and policies

The amalgamation will present enormous challenges in combining the existing documents and policies of four very different Councils into single co-ordinated documents and policies that protect and reflects the uniqueness of each area.

Corporate Plan

The corporate plan is the main overarching document that identifies and qualifies the Council’s vision, priorities, future direction, strategic planning and performance outcomes. This document guides all council activity and forms the basis on which the 10 year plan is framed. The 10 year plan in turn frames much of Council’s annual budget.

The ‘Corporate Plan’ requires public comment and should be a document that is owned by both the community through articulating their vision and expectations, and the Council Administration who have to achieve the documents stated outcomes.

Because the Corporate Plan is so important and will determine how the region is united and moves forward it becomes more critical the community play a greater role in shaping the regional council’s vision and directions. The new regional Council will need to do far more than just the barest minimum required by state legislation.

Local Laws, Planning Scheme and associated policies

Local Laws, Planning Scheme and associated policies is another important area in which the community have a say and will require a Council that understands the importance for community involvement to ensure the amalgamation of all these documents meets the needs of a diverse region with different needs.

New initiatives needed to increase community participation

• Council developed a policy of community consultation identifying and stipulating the communication processes, procedures, education and timing appropriate for the matter under consideration.
• Creation of a Public Relations portfolio to ensure elected councillors drive the process.
• Council to identify documents and policies not normally subject to public comment that would be beneficial for public review and comment. Policies such as the Councillor Code of Conduct would benefit from public input to ensure councillor behaviour was in keeping with community expectation.
• Establishment of a dedicated policy development unit to manage the amalgamation of existing policies and the development of new policy during the amalgamation process.
• Council utilise new and emerging technologies, particularly over the internet to enhance and extend communication opportunities between the council and the community.