Having real conversations with local residents that produce real results for the whole community is a big part of the job at Bayside City Council.
In the past 12 months, Council has consulted widely on many projects – from the look and usability of our new website to the type of skate parks we should build for our youth.
Survey feedback prompted significant changes to our quarterly residents’ publication Let’s Talk Bayside and Council is using new technologies such as Facebook to ensure we capture the views of a wide range of people.
Council has also listened carefully to community groups and individuals during the development of the Disability Strategy and Early Years Plan.
One of the most important ways Council has worked with the community is on the development of the Bayside 2020 Community Plan, which will be launched early next year.
The Community Plan process has involved consultation with more than 1000 people and began early in 2010 with activities including the launch of a website and Facebook site and advertisements for Steering Group members. The group reflects the diversity of the Bayside community. Although they are from different backgrounds, they are all passionate about Bayside and its future.
Council considers the community ownership of the planning process as important as the end product. Community forums, focus groups and surveys have so far revealed some of the main reasons people love living in Bayside are the beach, the shops and the open spaces.
However, they are also concerned that development, the cost of housing and traffic and transport issues could be major challenges for the future.
A representative group is also currently playing a key role in the development of the Bayside City Council Open Space Strategy, which will guide the planning, management and development of open space for the next decade.
The 12 community members and three Councillors on the Reference Group are examining submissions, as well as feedback from surveys and workshops. “We definitely have a diverse community with diverse needs,” says Manager Urban Strategy Matt Kelleher. “We have sports clubs, cyclists, walkers, joggers, dog walkers, artists, families, the elderly and other groups. The challenge will be to ensure that the strategy caters for all user groups.”
