The shire’s vision for 2035 has taken another step forward, with community groups given more opportunities to engage with the council on implementing its community strategic plan, which was adopted in May 2017.
The news comes after the council resolved on Tuesday to adopt a plan to increase community engagement with the CSP.
The CSP includes the community’s aspirations for the next 17 years and describes where the shire needs to focus its energy to achieve the plan’s major themes of liveability, prosperity, sustainability, and collaboration.
David Koren, support officer on the Junee Youth Council, said “it would be a chance for the council to learn more about the issues among young people”.
Asked about the major issues that young people would like to see more action on, Mr Koren said more events and attractions for the LGA were a constant discussion.
It’s about having more things for people to do in Junee, as well as getting some support with transport to other places, like Wagga.
- David Koren, support officer on Junee Youth Council
“Some of the youth council members engage in events management and the like, so it gives them exposure and work experience early on.”
The council’s engagement activities will include community newsletters, market stalls, annual exhibitions of planning documents, surveys and council meetings outside of council chamber.
Other community organisations to be engaged with include Riverina Regional Library, Junee Health Advisory Committee and the Junee Sports Committee.
Deputy mayor Matt Austin said the engagement plan was a need because “a lot of things happen that affect we as a council and as residents”.
“This is a chance to have a say regarding issues that would impact the shire from now until 2035.
It’s [community engagement plan is] also an acknowledgement that we value the thoughts of our residents.
- Matt Austin, deputy mayor
It has been more than 12 months since the CSP was adopted.
When asked about the progress between May 2017 and now, Mr Austin said: “It’s hard to see a huge amount yet, but a lot foundation-based work going on”.
“With the engagement plan, it shows that we’re in the implementation phase,” Mr Austin said.
The council’s director of community and business Grant Johnson said “the plan encourages nurturing relationships with business and industry but does not dictate meetings for the sake of meetings.
“With strong relationships, more meaningful dialogue will occur as and when issues of importance arise,” he said.
Other stakeholders that the council aims to engage with are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, volunteer groups, people with disabilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, arts and cultural clubs, and industry and commerce.
