2016-01-11 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                                11 JANUARY 2016



2                        COMMUNITY JURY PILOT PROCESS
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Community Engagement Manager, Debra Bambrook
                                    Executive Office

Index                               ECM/ Subject/ Community Jury

Attachments                         Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 12 month Community Jury Pilot Project has been successfully completed. Two Juries whose
members are representative of the Noosa Shire community (comprising over 50 community
members) have valued being involved in Council’s decision-making process.

The cost of hosting the two juries was not significant compared to the size and potential costs of
the issues deliberated upon. The experience and information gained by Council, plus the potential
savings to the community gained through more highly informed decision-making, are invaluable.

The two reports prepared by each Jury reflect what two groups of residents from all areas of the
Shire, (including a mix of genders and age groups) can form consensus upon regarding two major
issues that affect everyone in the Shire.

The juries’ reports provide an insight into what residents want, and what they think is reasonable,
when it comes to future organic waste management and future management of the Noosa River.

The Jury process provides Council with an understanding of residents’ concerns and sensitivities,
reasons for resistance to change, what considerations should be included in final decision-making
and what communications should focus upon once decisions have been made.

The Noosa Community Jury trial has highlighted that media interest in the process is strong. Jury
deliberations provide significant opportunities to “bring the community along on the journey”; to
inform, educate and involve residents in complex decisions that face Council and require
widespread community input and support for outcomes to succeed.


RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Community Engagement Manager to the General Committee
Meeting dated 11 January 2016 and:
A.                       Note the outcomes of the 12 month Community Jury Trial as set out in that report; and
B.                       Retain the Community Jury as a tool in Council’s community engagement framework to be
                         used if and when an appropriate as major issue arises in the future.




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