2014-09-16 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                               16 September 2014


EXECUTIVE OFFICE REPORTS
Community Engagement
11                       COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT NEWDEMOCRACY FOUNDATION
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Debra Iezzi, Executive Manager
                                    Executive Office

Index                               ECM/Projects & Contracts – Community Engagement/newDemocracy

Attachments                         Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Executive Manager to the Planning & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 16 September 2014 and
A.                       Accept the proposal from the newDemocracy Foundation to undertake a community
                         engagement project utilising the community jury methodology and approve
                         commencement of the jury selection process; and
B.                       Provide a further report to Council detailing the topic/s for the community engagement
                         project and level of authority to be given to the community jury.


REPORT
The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval for a community engagement project
utilising a community jury facilitated by the newDemocracy Foundation.

Background
One of the factors that drove community support for re-establishment of Noosa Council was
the desire of residents to have greater say on issues affecting their local communities and
for decision making to be locally based.
The former Noosa Council had over many years proactively embraced an innovative path
towards community governance and engagement using a range of approaches appropriate
to the issue. The former Council also compiled a register of residents willing to be contacted
to have a say on important issues or to participate in polls and surveys. The Resident
Feedback Register was compiled by Consultants AC Nielsen using a random approach to
selection, ensuring representation of all demographic groups in the community.
Given the background of a Council that has a history of engagement and a desire to try new
and innovative ideas, Noosa Council has indicated it wishes to strive to bring more people
into the engagement process, and to make engagement easier and more productive for
those who wish to participate. Ric Jay Communications was engaged earlier this year to
provide advice on current, best practice methodologies and the role of technology in the
engagement process. A number of the recommendations in the report “Community
Engagement and Participation in Noosa” in relation to technology (web upgrade, online
engagement platform) have already been implemented or are scheduled for implementation.
This report covers recommendation 1 of that report as follows:


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