Draft Community Engagement Policy

No longer on display. Expired on 28 July 2021, 05:00 PM

The draft Community Engagement Policy is currently on public exhibition and open for public comment. The draft Policy supersedes Council’s existing Community Consultation Policy.

Background

Council has recently undertaken a review of how the community is engaged on matters that affect them. The review included substantial community input and found that community engagement is important to people in Ku-ring-gai and that there is scope to make some improvements to Council’s engagement practices.

A number of steps have already been taken to improve communication and delivery of engagement which includes:

Introduction of the Your Say enews - suburb specific enewsletters to keep local people informed about opportunities to get involved.
New Your Say section added to the Ku-ring-gai enewsletter.
Changes to Council’s online engagement platform (due to go live in July 2021).
An enhanced focus on digital technology to encourage participation including virtual workshops/meeting, using QR codes in project locations and better use of Council’s new website to more effectively connect with the community.
Resourcing and focus on engaging in the community ie. reaching out to the community where they are (through events, kiosks and information stalls).

Draft Community Engagement Policy

Council at its meeting of 15 June 2021 resolved to place a new Community Engagement Policy on public exhibition. The Draft Policy supersedes Council’s existing Community Consultation Policy, which has been in place since 2008 (with minor revisions in 2016).

Relevant findings from the community engagement review have been addressed in the drafting of the new policy which includes:

Inclusion of an Engagement Practice section to promote consistency in overall engagement delivery.
A new Reporting and Evaluation section which outlines steps to inform the community of engagement outcomes as well as an evaluation of projects to ensure continuous improvement within Council.
A new Promoting Participation Opportunities section which will encourage Council staff to consider how and when to promote opportunities for community involvement.
More specific guidance on when and why Council will engage the community as well as timing of engagement.

Other changes in the policy include:

Updated policy objectives.
Enhanced engagement principles.
Reference to the 2020 Community Participation Plan (which outlines planning related community engagement requirements).
Reference to the opportunity that effective engagement provides to enhance relationships with the community and improve the reputation of Council.
Reference to when Council will not engage with the community.

Council will apply the policy to all projects and activities where it makes decisions that will potentially interest or impact the community or where a significant policy development or change occurs. Legislative minimum required standards for community engagement/notification relating to planning matters are outlined in the Ku-ring-gai Community Participation Plan. The CPP covers areas including:

Development and associated applications.
Planning Proposals.
Development Control Plans.
Contribution Plans.
Planning Agreements.
Local Strategic Planning Statements.

Council understands the importance of local planning projects and how they can impact the community. Therefore, where appropriate Council may undertake additional engagement, guided by the Community Engagement Policy, above the minimal notification requirements outlined in the CPP, to ensure the community is aware and can contribute to the project.