WCC MEDIA RELEASE - WEDNESDAY, 23 JULY 2008
“COMMUNITY ASKED HOW THEY WANT TO HAVE THEIR SAY”
“The community can have their say on a range of new opportunities Wollongong City Council is considering to improve the way Council consults with the community.
Administrators tonight agreed to publicly exhibit a Community Consultation Discussion Paper between Monday, 28 July and Friday, 22 August, to generate discussion and gain valuable feedback from the community before Council drafts a new Community Consultation Policy.
The Discussion Paper asks the community to consider a range of new consultation options including Neighbourhood Forums supported by Council and new Community Leaders Meetings with Administrators.
The community can also have their say on proposed opportunities such as Community Forums for specific projects, electronic communication tools, kiosks, and the recently endorsed Independent Hearing Assessment Panels as a way to consult on major developments in the city.
Administrator, Robert McGregor AM, said it was important to remember that Council is here to serve the community and be responsive to the community’s needs by listening to their input.
“Residents have a right to have their say about how Council carries out its functions, and this Discussion Paper allows the whole community to share their views on how they would like to do this,” Mr McGregor said.
“Council is committed to having ongoing conversations with the community through a variety of opportunities, but before we implement any of these new consultation options, we want to encourage the community to tell us what they think of them.”
Following public exhibition of the Discussion Paper, Council will rely on the community’s involvement to draft a new Community Consultation Policy to be presented at the September Council Meeting.
To view the Community Consultation Discussion Paper, visit Council’s website at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au from Monday, 28 July, call 4227 7096 or email consultation@wollongong.nsw.gov.au ”
Council’s spin/media release ends
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(And watch this space for a review of the ‘discussion paper’ to find out why IT’S A REAL STINKER! reformwcc.info)