Everyone who lives, works, plays or visits Hobsons Bay can have their say on Council’s commitment to community engagement, following the release of Council’s draft Community Engagement Policy, open for feedback on Participate Hobsons Bay.
The draft policy provides a framework for how Council listens to and empowers the people of Hobsons Bay to participate, shape and help influence decisions that affect them.
The draft Community Engagement Policy is currently open for community consultation until Sunday 17 January 2021.
Council regularly seeks community engagement for proposals, decisions, projects, strategies, plans, programs, services or advocacy priorities.
When adopted, the policy will serve as an organisational guide for the planning, delivery and evaluation of community engagement activities with people who live, work, play or visit Hobsons Bay.
Council’s draft Community Engagement Policy is based on the principles of: respect; transparency and honesty; participation; inclusion and accessibility and; accountability and responsiveness.
The draft policy helps achieve the goals in the Hobsons Bay 2030 Community Vision, which was developed in 2016 by the community and guides everything Council undertakes.
The Local Government Act 2020 requires all Victorian councils to adopt and maintain a Community Engagement Policy. This policy is an extension of the work Council has been doing in community engagement and builds upon the Hobsons Bay Community Engagement Policy Framework 2015.
Council’s draft Community Engagement Policy is available to comment until 17 January 2021at participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/help-shape-how-we-engage
Face-to-face sessions are listed below.
Community Engagement Policy community consultation – drop-in sessions
Wednesday 16 December, 4-6pm, Newport Community Hub
Wednesday 6 January, 4-6pm, Venue TBC
Thursday 14 January, 4-6pm, Newport Community Hub
As noted by Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Jonathon Marsden
“Council’s draft Community Engagement Policy demonstrates our commitment to ensuring meaningful, transparent and responsive community engagement. Good community engagement results in stronger democratic processes, decisions and services that better meet the changing needs of Hobsons Bay residents.
“Community engagement is two-fold – it ensures Council learns from the community about what they want and need for Hobsons Bay, while giving our community the opportunity to have a say on decisions affecting them through the delivery of our project and services.
“Hobsons Bay has a diverse population—over 100 different languages and over 90 different faiths are represented in Hobsons Bay. Engagement at its best must reflect the same diversity that exists in Hobsons Bay. Successful engagement is when the community feels part of a process.
“I encourage everyone across the city to take part and provide your input in how we can improve our current community engagement processes. Your feedback is invaluable.”
