Obviously the very welcome Election promise by Dr Anne Webster MP last week of $3.6 million towards the Deledio Recreation Reserve would have been followed with Election night disappointment.
Council has a highly planned and developed approach to advocacy or lobbying as it is sometimes called. We spend many months and quite often years working to establish a base where we believe we will have the best chance of success with key projects. It’s why we have been so successful.
Advocacy or lobbying is a very important process for all Councils as it provides the opportunity to seek investment from the State and Commonwealth governments for initiatives and developments that are needed and important and wanted by communities.
Advocacy is much more than simply stating what is wanted. The best advocacy links wants and needs to the priorities of those making investment decisions. It may involve many partners and is constantly evolving, as the shaping of wants, needs, partners and investment priorities and decisions change. Successful advocacy is achieved by understanding and seeking to best influence those changing dynamics which is what we do.
Work on the Deledio Reserve proposed redevelopment included detailed business case assessments and reports from Council officers. Considerable effort went into the development of Council’s Priority Projects Plan and a number of conversations with Dr Webster on budgets, including over the Easter break.
This thorough planning puts us in the best position to continue our case to champion the magnificent efforts of the community to secure funding for the project. It is exactly what Council will do.
