Michaela Meade
Whittlesea council administrators have finally been able to get out and about in the community.
The administrators held a community forum in the Whittlesea township last week before their first in-person council meeting at the Whittlesea Community Activity Centre.
Resident Judy Clements said both the forum and council meeting were “positive” for the community.
“It was important just in the sense of the community feeling that the council is there and is reaching out to the community to make that connection and learn more about it,” Ms Clements said.
“So it’s a very genuine indication I think that there’s a willingness to hear what people are feeling and what’s important to them and to understand more about this part of the community.”
The forum was held as part of the council’s community engagement policy, which was adopted at the council meeting.
Whittlesea corporate affairs executive manager Kristi High said the council is committed to listening to and engaging with the community, and have a number of ways to do so.
“We’re about to launch a new engagement website that’ll be a platform specifically designed for engagement,” Ms High said.
“There’s a range of ways, but I think the point is that we’ll take your feedback at any time.”
While residents are waiting for the feedback website to launch, the council emphasised other methods to engage with them, including customer service channels, emailing, and at community forums or focus groups.
Chief executive Craig Lloyd said the biggest change to the community engagement policy is that “traditionally” the council would approach the community for feedback on a specific item when it was judged to be “appropriate”.
“The big switch here is to ask the community continuously for their ideas and their input into everything that the council does,” Mr Lloyd said.
“Some of the [forum attendees] have raised issues with us and with administrators. That’s the kind of dialogue we want to have.”
Chair of administrator Lydia Wilson said having the Whittlesea community take part in conversations is imperative for the council’s activities.
“We want to hear from the resident ratepayers… in all sorts of different ways and in relation to everything that we do,” Ms Wilson said.
“Genuine community consultation is critical for the future of the council and our effective decision making.”
“[It will] ensure that we represent the views of our resident ratepayers, and this evening is another example of our commitment to do so.”
Administrator Bruce Billson said the policy allowed the council to have an “open ears” approach.
The next council meeting to be held within the community will be on Tuesday, September 7 at Galada Community Centre. The council is also running several pop-up forums throughout the year.
