2015-03-03 Planning & Organisation Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   3 MARCH 2015


COMMUNICATION SURVEY

Objectives & background

Council recently commissioned a professional market research company, Market Facts, to
undertake a communications survey to ascertain which communication channels Noosa
residents prefer to use. This information will assist CE Branch and Council in maximising the
effectiveness of its communications with its residents while minimising costs.

Data gathering and response rate

The survey link was emailed to a Council database of 18,000 people. 3000 people
responded to the survey and 1,600 completed the survey. Hard copies were made available
at the library for people who could not access the survey online.

The response rate for the survey was double the usual response-rate for surveys and far
exceeded expectations and is indicative of a highly engaged community.

Reports

The results of the survey will be reported in the coming weeks. Survey reports will be made
available to all Council departments to inform managers of the most effective communication
channels. This information should improve the effectiveness of all community engagement.

MEDIA SERVICES

The media function is a significant function of the CE branch. In addition to providing a press
release writing service, CE Branch’s media services are used on a daily basis to promote
Council’s activities in accordance with Council’s Media Policy and Media Guidelines.

Increased Service Capacity

The “Communications Media Officer” commenced in October 2014. As a result of that
appointment, CE Branch has been able to deliver an increasingly comprehensive media
writing service for both the Executive Office and all Council departments.

This service has extended to providing promotional services for CE Projects run by other
departments and other Council activities. Some of the projects and initiatives that have been
very successfully promoted by CE Branch include: the Design Principles Project, Community
Grants, Community Jury, Communications Survey, Local Laws and others.

A Promotional Guideline to help inform departments about the range and limitation of this
service is being prepared.

The Communications Media Officer has delivered timely responses to local media requests
and fostered relationships with all local media channels including local press, radio and TV.
In addition he has proactively managed media surrounding political and operational matters
of Council business.

An extension of the Communications Media Officer’s role has been a web publishing and
copywriting function. The responsibility extends to a complete review of all website text and
the production of the Online Writing Style Guideline document.




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