AN INTEGRATED COMMUNITY STRATEGIC
PLAN
FOR TEMORA SHIRE COUNCIL
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
OCTOBER 2010
INTRODUCTION
The NSW Planning System Handbook 2003 defines “community engagement” as:
“ .. the public processes in which the general public and other interested parties are invited to
contribute to particular proposals or policy changes. Community engagement has the potential
to go beyond merely making information available or gathering opinions and attitudes. It entails
a more active exchange of information and viewpoints between the sponsoring organization and
the public ...”
Community engagement can be seen as part of a continuum which includes:
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Information giving (communication)
Information seeking (data collection/scoping)
Information sharing
Participatory decision making
Responding to community initiated issues
Continuous research into communication methods
Community engagement, therefore, is a way of including the views of the Temora community in
the council’s planning and decision making processes. In other words, the council will engage
the community to identify, understand and develop strategies to address and respond to their
needs and concerns for now and in the future.
Of course, engaging the community is required by all NSW Councils under Section 8 of the Local
Government Act, 1993. But, more specifically, the Minister for Local Government announced in
May 2009 the introduction of a bill to the State Parliament to require all councils in NSW to
adopt a Community Engagement Strategy as part of the development of community strategic
plans. This legislation was enacted in October last year.
Temora Shire Council has agreed to participate in the 2nd year of the 3 year Integrated Planning
implementation and has embarked on a process to develop a long term community strategic
plan. Temora Shire Council is committed to regular and effective community consultation. It
will continue to do so, and as part of the development of a community strategic plan a
Community Engagement Strategy has been developed.
THE TEMORA SHIRE COMMUNITY
A Community Engagement Strategy will give the Temora Shire community a clear
understanding of:
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Council’s commitment to Community Engagement
When Community Engagement will occur
What level of engagement will occur
How the Community Engagement process will be managed.
‘Community’ is defined as people who live within the Temora Shire and/or want to live, visit,
work and/or invest in it. The community includes:
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Residents
Rate payers
State and federal government agencies
Private sector
Non government agencies.
According to the Local Government (General) Amendment (Community and Social Plans)
Regulation 1998, the mandatory community target groups for planning and consultation are:
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Children (0-11 years old)
Youth (12-24 years old)
Older people
People with a disability
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI)
People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD)
Women.
Temora Shire Council has also identified several other groups for particular notice, including:
 Farmers
 Aviation Industry
 Village residents
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY AND POLICY
The Temora Shire Council Community Engagement Strategy for development of the Temora
Shire Community Strategic Plan seeks to ensure effective community engagement by:
� establishing standard practices for community engagement
� ensuring standard engagement practices are implemented by Council officers and external
consultants employed by the Council
� ensuring that decision making processes are based on outcomes acquired from community
engagement process, relevant legislative requirements and other Council policies.
POLICY OBJECTIVES
The following objectives should be observed when planning and implementing community
engagement activities:
 Ensure Council Officers understand and effectively implement the Community
Engagement Strategy and Policy
 Provide the Temora Shire community with opportunities to participate in decision
making on both present and future issues
 Ensure participants and stakeholders represent a cross section of the community
 Incorporate a range of community engagement methods including:
Use of the Temora Independent to ensure flow of information
Regular updates in the Council newsletter, Narraburra News
Development of social networking sites including Facebook & Twitter
Regular updates on the process on Council websites
Provision of facilities to enable the customers and community opportunities to
provide feedback
 Proactively and regularly inform the community about the outcomes from the
community engagement activities
 Provide Council with a range of ideas, suggestions and general comments gathered from
the engagement activities
 Ensure that Council, in exercising its power of decision making, is informed of and able
to respond to the community needs and interest
POLICY PRINCIPLES
Temora Shire Council will adhere to the following principles in its engagement of the Temora
Shire community:
Clarity of Purpose
We will clearly define why the engagement is occurring and its context, in order to plan and
resource an effective process.
Commitment
We will demonstrate commitment to establish and maintain credibility and accountability.
Communication
We will establish a two way process of providing accurate and timely information, and
demonstrate that feedback is being valued.
Evidence
We will establish good engagement practices that are based on a sound research and quality
information.
Flexibility & Responsiveness
We will establish engagement plans that are flexible during the engagement process to ensure
equitable access to the process for all.
Timeliness
We will ensure that participants know how long an engagement process is expected to
last and when feedback is expected at each stage of the process.
Inclusive
We will ensure that a cross section of the Temora Shire community is invited to participate in
each community engagement activity.
Collaboration
We will establish partnerships with relevant community groups, state and federal
governments and/or with internal department/units within Council at an appropriate level.
Continuous Learning
We will establish a reporting system to ensure that Council learns from the community
engagement activity and is able to monitor and evaluate for future improvements.
STANDARDS
Temora Shire Council will measure the quality of each community engagement activity against
the following standards:
 All communication will meet the needs of the targeted community. Any written and/or
verbal communications will be in plain English and in community languages as
appropriate.
 All Council Officers and external consultants employed by Council involved in
implementing engagement activities will have appropriate skills and experience to
undertake engagement tasks
 An adequate period of notice will be given for each community engagement activity the period may not be less than two weeks for any activity that requires people to
attend or get involved in a engagement activity
 Participants will represent a cross section of the community.
WHEN WILL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OCCUR?
Temora Shire Council will engage the Temora Shire community when:
Preparing Strategic Plans – such as development of community or land use strategic
plans and projects to inform the Delivery Programme and Operating Plan.
Developing Council Policy - where any internal or external policies having direct impacts
on the community.
Considering Site Changes – where any changes are proposed to a private or public site
that may have an impact on the community.
Planning Council Services – when developing or improving a service.
Legislation requires - such as prescribed plans and projects under the Local Government
Act (1993) and other relevant Acts.
WHAT LEVEL OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WILL OCCUR?
Temora Shire Council will implement different levels of engagement depending on the issue,
and its immediate or long term impact on the community. The levels of engagement may
include:
Level 1 – INFORM - Giving information to the community
Level 2 – CONSULT - Obtaining community feedback
Level 3 – INVOLVE - Participating directly with the community
Level 4 – COLLABORATE - Partnering with the community to create solutions
Level 5 – EMPOWER - Placing the final decision making in the hands of the Community
HOW WILL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES BE MANAGED?
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Each community engagement activity will be the responsibility of the Temora Shire
Council Manager appointed as project manager.
When planning community engagement, Managers need to ensure that resources (staff
and finance) for engagement activities across Council are effectively allocated and
managed. Where possible, engagement activities will be combined with other activities
that target similar community groups.
Every effort will be made to attract and reach a cross section of community by using a
wide range of communication methods
Specific targeted community groups will be invited to participate as identified in the
project
Participants’ cultural, language and special needs will be accommodated where
appropriate
Community groups who are sometimes hard to reach i.e. children, young people, people
with disabilities, women and people from ATSI backgrounds will be involved.
REPORTING BACK TO PARTICIPANTS AND THE COMMUNITY
Upon completion of a community engagement activity, outcomes from the activity will be
communicated to all participants and the community.
A report will be developed for council outlining the community engagement outcomes,
considerations and recommendations made to Council.
EVALUATION OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Upon completion of a community engagement activity, an evaluation will be conducted to
assess:
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community representation
type of communications and publicity methods most suitable
method utilised for engaging the community
timing i.e. promotion time and time of the actual activity
qualitative and quantitative information gained and gathered
These assessment results will be used to improve future engagement plans and processes.
STAFF SKILLS AND TRAINING
A review of Council Officer Skills List will be conducted annually to identify skills currently held
by staff within the council to devise and conduct community engagement activities, and any
skills gaps. Based on the skills review, staff training needs will be identified and external
consultant support required to fill skills gaps will also be identified.
COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN – ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
The following stakeholder list and engagement methods have been identified to assist in
developing the draft community strategic plan.
Group
Business
Community
Involving
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Engagement Method
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Farming groups
NSW Farmers
Temora Business Enterprise
Group (TBEG)
Major business owners
Country Energy
Goldenfields Water
Aviation groups
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Schools
Sporting and recreation groups
Clubs
Aged community
Aboriginal community
Volunteers
Charitable groups
Church groups
Ethnic groups
Health services
Towns and villages
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State and
Federal
Departments
and agencies
State Government Regional Coordination Group (out of Premier’s
Department)
State Government departments and
agencies (including in no particular
order Police; Agriculture; Housing;
Community Services; Local
Government; Lands; Planning;
Environment and Climate Change;
DAA; Sport & Recreation; Catchment
Management Authority.
Federal Government departments
and agencies (including Health and
Ageing; Housing, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs;
Water and Energy; Attorney
Generals
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Focus Group – for farmers/agribusiness
Focus Group for business groups
Personal meeting with CEOs of major
businesses and authorities
General Focus Group – general
invitation for those who can’t attend
specific focus group sessions
Focus group – for aviation
Meeting with School Principals
Focus Group with specific school
representatives
Meetings with health & aged care
stakeholders
Community Forums – issues based
discussions
Focus Group – Retirees
Focus Group – General Community
Focus Groups – Temora, Springdale &
Ariah Park
Focus groups – Sport & Recreation
stakeholders
Use of social networking sites
Meeting with Premier’s Department
representative
Premier’s Department representative to
circulate issues paper for comment to
members of the Regional Co-ordination
Group
Meeting with State Agencies
Group
State and
Federal MPs
Involving
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Mayor and GM – to write and meet to
discuss key issues
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Michael McCormack MP, Federal
Member for Riverina
Adrian Piccoli, MP, State
Member for Murrumbidgee
Local paper
Community Radio
Commercial Radio
ABC Radio
TV
Members of REROC
Neighbouring Councils
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Mayor and GM – to meet with
representatives
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Mayor and GM – to seek input through
ROC meeting, and by letter invitation
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Councillors
Council staff
Council advisory committees
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Focus Groups at Depot and Shire offices
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Media
Other councils
Council
Engagement Method
Proposed Community Consultations
Date
8/11/10
9/11/10
Time
8.00pm
6.00pm
Length
2 Hours
1.5
Hours
9/11/10
8.00pm
2 Hours
10/11/10 12.00pm 1.5
Hours
10/11/10 2.30pm
1.5
Hours
10/11/10 7.00pm
2 Hours
11/11/10 10.00am
Group
Agribusiness/Farmers
Aviation groups
Venue
Temora Ex Services
Council Chambers
Ref
1
2
Temora Community
Retirees
Temora Ex Services
Temora Senior Citizens
3
4
Tourism & Hospitality
Council Chambers
5
Health & Aged Care
Services
Springdale
Temora Ex Services Club
6
Springdale Hall
7
Ariah Park Youth
AP Memorial Hall Supper
Hall
AP Memorial Hall Supper
Hall
AP Hotel
8
General Business
Schools/Youth
Public Safety
Temora Ex Services Club
Council Chambers
11
12
13
Staff
Sporting & recreation
groups
Outdoor Staff
Councillors
Various
Temora Ex Services Club
14
15
Council Depot
Council Chambers
16
17
11/11/10 4.00pm
1.5
Hours
1 Hour
11/11/10 6.00pm
1 Hour
Ariah Park Business
11/11/10 8.00pm
1.5
Hours
2 Hours
Ariah Park Community
12/11/10 7.00pm
TBA
16/11/10 8.00pm
17/11/10 9.00am
17/11/10 7.30pm
25/11/10 7.00am
25/11/10 8.00pm
1.5
Hours
All day
1.5
Hours
2 Hours
2 Hours
9
10
Community Engagement Details
1. Agribusiness/ Farmers
Refreshments
Newspaper advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Agricultural Bureau
Farmlink
Rural Supplies stores
Stock & Station Agents
Agronomists
Machinery Dealerships
Moses & Sons
2. Aviation Groups
Aerodrome Users Committee
Community Radio
Newspaper Advertisements
Narraburra News
Aviation estate residents
Immediate Neighbours to airport
3. Temora Community
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Service Clubs
Churches
Country Womens Assoc
Licenced Clubs
Charitable Groups (eg St Vincents de paul)
Arts Council
Arts and Craft Groups
Girl Guides/ Boy Scouts
Show Societies
Temora Community Centre
Historical Society/ Family History
Volunteer Groups
Refreshments
4. Retirees
Light luncheon/refreshments
5. Tourism & Hospitality
Afternoon Tea
Newspaper advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Temora Senior Citizens
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Moteliers
Food Outlets
Tourism Operators
6. Health & Aged Care Services
Finger food/refreshments
7. Springdale
Morning Tea
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Interagency
Home & Community Care (HACC)
Nursing Homes
Can Assist
Local Health Advisory service (LHAC)
Medical Practitioners
Open Minds Better Futures
Red Cross
Home Care
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Springdale Progress Association
8. Ariah Park Youth
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Ariah Park Diary
Ariah Park Central School
9. Ariah Park Business
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Ariah Park Diary
Ariah Park Businesses
10. Ariah Park Community
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Ariah Park Diary
Refreshments
11. General Business
Finger food/refreshments
12. Schools/ Youth
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Temora Businesses
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
TYRO
School Principals
13. Public Safety
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Emergency Services
Temora Police Consultative Committee
Country Energy
Licenced Premises
Licencing police
14. Staff
Smaller focus groups on site
15. Sport and Recreation Groups
Finger food/refreshments
Newspaper Advertisement
Community Radio
Narraburra News
Temora & District Sports Council
Facility Managers
16. Outdoor Staff
Council Depot
17. Councillors
Formal Meeting