At it's meeting on Tuesday, 24 May, 2011, Council endorsed the Community Engagement Strategy for the Community Strategic Plan.

 Community Engagement Strategy for the Community Strategic Plan

The Strategy exists to ensure that the Community Strategic Plan is developed with input from the community. The strategy will ensure that key stakeholders are identified and invited to participate in meaningful discussions about their aspirations and visions for the future of Wollongong.

Conversations with the community will include what services Council must provide by Legislation, what level of service the community desires and budgetary constraints.

The Engagment Strategy:

• Outlines how Council will listen, involve and seek feedback from the community.
• Include input from internal staff from across the organisation.
• Is based on feedback from the Community Reference Panel, Neighbourhood Forums and lessons learnt from previous engagement undertaken by Council.
• Involves collaboration with Government agencies and non-Government organisations.
• Follows good practice for engagement in alignment with Council's Community Consultation Policy and the principles of the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2).
• Ensures Council will deliver a variety of engagement activities across the City to maximise access.
• Meets Council's requirements under the Local Government Act 1993, the IPR Guidelines and Manual.

A number of  factors and key principles have guided the development of the Community Engagement Strategy; these include the diverse nature of the Wollongong community, social justice principles and the quadruple bottom line.

Residents will be provided with the opportunity to be involved in all phases of the development of the Community Strategic Plan. In this way, the Engagement Strategy proposes extensive consultation, communication and engagement using a variety of methods and techniques to reach our diverse Wollongong community.

Stay tuned over the next month for information on a  promotion titled " Draw, Write, Snap and Share" which will involve the community answering the question "What do we love about Wollongong..." in the form of photo's, written messages, quotes, poetry, artworks and short videos.