Community engagement – what’s your feedback?

East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its Draft Revised Community Engagement Policy to ensure authentic engagement with the community, good representation, relevant information and transparency.

The new Local Government Act 2020 requires councils to update their community engagement policies to reflect the community engagement principles in the new Act.

Council’s General Manager Place and Community Jodie Pitkin said the new Act aims to improve local government democracy, accountability and service delivery for the community.

“Accessible and relevant information available to the community will ensure the decision-making process and the community’s level of influence is clear when making new policies, plans, budgets, strategic planning and local laws,” Ms Pitkin said.

“Council has already embraced this approach, demonstrated through the community planning processes in the development of place-based community plans, as we understand and respect the unique characteristics, strengths and values of each place in East Gippsland.

“The revised policy will encourage positive and productive community engagement, by assisting council to build capacity in deliberative engagement practices so that this way of working with the community becomes standard practice, rather than an exceptional exercise.”

The revised policy must be in place by March 1, 2021.

The Draft Revised Community Engagement Policy is open for community feedback until Monday 28 September.

To have your say visit our website https://yoursay.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/