By 2006, Caloundra will be a City and a community which has created its own destiny and which continues to refine and redefine its future on a regular basis. These are the words of Caloundra City Council’s Corporate Plan and in 2004, the community is actively engaged in shaping that future, thanks to the Council’s commitment to its Community Involvement Strategy. The Strategy aims to promote and work towards more positive and responsive relationships between Council and the Community.
Four and a half years after it was first adopted, the Strategy has already proved successful, not only laying the base for some of the City’s major foundation strategic plans but also picking up awards along the way.
Caloundra City Council was one of the first Councils in Queensland to produce a software package that records, collates and keeps valuable information from its consultation programs. This has allowed a trail to be laid which clearly shows the direction the community wishes to head as it shapes its future. It was also one of the first Councils to appoint an officer dedicated to leading the organisation towards the present time where engaging the community is ‘core business’.
State recognition of Council’s success in steering the Council and the Community towards that goal came late last year when the organisation received the Queensland Smorgonsteel Recycling Local Government Leadership Award for the proactive and important role it plays within the community. The award recognised outstanding accomplishment by a local Council that motivates, educates, involves and leads its community.
Caloundra City Mayor, Cr Don Aldous, said the success of Council’s community consultation programs could be seen in the outcomes achieved through the City Plan, Caloundra’s Planning Scheme, and major infrastructure.
“Council was presented with an award for its consistently high standard of community consultation which ensures that we meet the challenges of one of Australia’s fastest growing regions,” Cr Aldous said. “However, a Council cannot do these things in isolation – it needs the enthusiasm and participation of its community. And perhaps that is where this City’s approach to consultation, training, software packages that record and collate previous consultation for later use, and tool kits come into their own.
“They ensure that while Council officers work closely with community organisations and schools, and elected representatives foster close two way communication with interest groups and community members, our communities are receptive to those approaches. This receptiveness is based on formal consultation programs which are customised to suit each particular community and ensure maximum input. In Caloundra City, the willingness of the community to participate in and partner Council as it strives to lead the community has become the key to this City’s success.
“Caloundra City not only listens, but uses its community’s views and thoughts to identify priorities as the base for decision making, and to test ideas. We have changed from a ‘this is your community’ way of thinking to a ‘this is our community’ – a place where we all have a say.”
