FAQs

Community engagement is a meaningful, respectful exchange of information and ideas. It is a planned process that provides opportunities for Council and the community to improve decision making through participation. There are many levels of community engagement from sharing information through to asking the community to actually make decisions.

Maintaining community focus remains a core value for Baw Baw Shire Council. This policy supports that commitment. Community engagement allows the community to have an active voice in contributing to Council decisions. It strengthens transparency and builds the community’s trust in Council’s decision-making process.

The Local Government Act (Vic) 2020 - Section 55 - requires all Victorian councils to develop and maintain a Community Engagement Policy. The policy must, amongst other things, be developed in consultation with the community and give effect to the community engagement principles listed in the Act.

The community engagement framework is called IAP2, the International Association of Public Participation. IAP2 has developed a robust and well used framework that provides a sound basis for considering community engagement. It reflects that community engagement can cover a spectrum from the community being informed of a decision through to the community being empowered to make a decision themselves, often within parameters set by council.

Council will engage with the community when:

 The community can impact or influence a council decision

 A potential change to a service, plan, policy or asset is proposed and may have an impact on the community

 When Council needs information for the development of projects, plan or decision making

 When community experience and expertise will inform and strengthen Council’s advocacy for a priority community outcome

 When community input will assist Council develop a policy position on another agencies proposed activities

 When community input will support Council prioritise potentially competing issues

 When sharing information will strengthen the community's ability to make decisions and take action independent of Council

Council won't engage with the community when:

 Where an adopted policy, strategy, decision or recent engagement has determined a clear direction

 When a decision must be guided by technical, legal, financial, confidentiality, probity or safety requirements

 General operational decisions that have limited impact

Participants in community engagement should include people and groups affected by the issue being considered. Community engagement plans will identify community members and groups with a connection to a project or decision to ensure they are informed and encouraged to participate.

Engagement will typically be for a minimum 21 days unless there is an urgency to make decisions. If there is a legislative requirement that differs from 21 days, then Council will at minimum satisfy the legislative requirements.

Council will “close the loop” by reporting outcomes in a timely and proportionate manner, including what the community had to say and how that has informed council decisions.

 A summary of the engagement

 Key themes and feedback

 What we changed

 What we didn’t change and why

 What happens next