An innovative way to encourage greater public participation in Council meetings and decision making is delivering a range of benefits for Jerramungup Shire Council. The successful Community Forums are providing a two way information exchange. They have proved to be a good way for the community to get to know Councillors and senior staff, and vice versa; Council personnel are gaining a greater insight into community concerns.
Jerramungup Shire in Western Australia has a total population of around 1,500 and is situated about 350 kilometres south east of Perth. The Community Forums were introduced in 2002, as part of Council’s continuing approach to improve consultation with the community. They are held every three months at three locations over a period of three weeks, with one meeting each week.
Each meeting runs for approximately 45 minutes; however, in some cases it may run longer. Invitations are sent out to approximately 40 ratepayers with an RSVP date. During the Forums, Council events and projects are presented by the Shire President and Chief Executive Officer, followed by a question and answer session from the community. Light refreshments are also provided.
“It has raised the corporate image of Council and has certainly quelled any misinformation in the community,” said Council’s CEO, Darren Long.“We now have people so eager to attend one of the Forums that they are ringing up their Councillors and the Council office seeing if they can be put on the next forum list.”
For further information, contact Darren Long on (08) 9835 1022.
