2014-08-19 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda - Pages 102-155

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                 19 AUGUST 2014


14                        COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT POLICY
DOCUMENT IN FOR MATI ON




Author                               Executive Manager, Debra IezzI
                                     Executive Office

Index                                ECM/ Subject/ Community Engagement

Attachments                          1.    Community Engagement Policy
                                     2.    IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Executive Manager to the Planning & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 19 August 2014 and:
A.                        Rescind the existing Community Engagement policy dated 6 August 2009 that transferred
                          to the Noosa Council from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council under the Local
                          Government (De-amalgamation Implementation) Regulation 2013; and
B.                        Adopt the Community Engagement Policy shown as Attachment 1 to the report and
                          authorise the Chief Executive Officer to put in place administrative guidelines and tools
                          required to implement the policy.



REPORT

The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval of a Community Engagement Policy.

Background

The Community Engagement Policy (refer Attachment 1) reaffirms Council’s commitment to
community engagement as reflected in Noosa’ Council’s vision statement - “Engagement with
our community to protect and enhance our lifestyle”.

Policy

The Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) requires that Council adopt a number of principles to
ensure the system of government is accountable, effective, efficient and sustainable. Democratic
representation, social inclusion and meaningful community engagement is an important principle
(Section 4 (2)(c) of the Act) that underpins Council’s approach to community engagement.
Council’s vision which focuses on our relationship with our community (as identified in the Noosa
Council Corporate Plan 2014-2019) is “engagement with our community to protect and enhance
our lifestyle”. To help achieve this vision Council’s goal is to work in partnership with the
community with the key focus areas of connecting to our community, and implementing new
models of community engagement so our community can participate in decision making.




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