Creswick Ward Community Plan Workshop #3 – HOW DO WE DO IT? 20 March 2013 7:30-10:10pm Doug Lindsay Reserve
Schedule 7:30-7:50 7:50-8:10 8:10-8:30 8:30-8:55 8:55-9:15 9:15-9:45 9:45-10:00 10:00-10:10
Check-in question: “What is something you have planned + achieved? Review of process to date (workshop 1 + 2) Small group discussions on what we’ve collated and heard so far Group discussion – how do we do it? Small group review of precedent community plans Group presentations to CWCC CWCC response to group presentations Next steps/conclusion
Summary The focus of the third workshop was: HOW DO WE DO IT? Information and maps produced and collated from the first 2 workshops were pinned up around the space. With a smaller turnout of participants than the previous workshops, we had four table groups plus one table dedicated for CWCC members. Groups were asked to review the information collated and discuss what they were seeing. Are any patterns emerging? Is there anything missing? The main things stated by each of the four groups were: 1/ the need to choose goals and projects that were realistic and achievable and the suggestion of a project that all members of the community can participate in such as CleanUp Australia Day, 2/ the importance of disparate groups actively working together and Council’s role in facilitating these community groups, 3/ starting with things that already exist in the community and getting those up to scratch first and building upon them, 4/ choosing a project that can be achieved ( based on realistic timeframes and budgets) and that the community can visibly see and say that it has been done. Copies of four precedent community plans (Banyule, Port Philip, Sunshine Coast, Whittlesea) were made available to the groups to review and critique. Based on these plans by other communities, groups discussed: what do you want the Creswick Community Plan to be? What do you want your community plan to do? The responses to these questions were presented directly to CWCC, and CWCC had an opportunity to respond back to the groups on what they had heard. Each of the four groups said: 1/ the need for a vision statement that is unique and specific to Creswick (and not a motherhood statement) and a clear and concise visual document that will help us to achieve the vision, 2/ prioritise the projects and set realistic timeframes, CWCC to facilitate and be accountable for communicating how projects are going, 3/ choosing a few short-term realistic/achievable projects that all members of the community can work on, rather than a long wish list, 4/ have a balance between a large long-term project that needs forward planning and smaller short-term projects that can be realistically achieved using resources already available in the community. Here Studio will be preparing a facilitator’s report based on the three workshops to present to the CWCC on the 20 April 2013. CWCC stated that they will be producing a draft of the Community Plan within 8 weeks (end of May) for further community feedback, and that the amended Community Plan would be submitted to Council in June.
Creswick Ward Community Plan – Workshop 3
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What we heard at Workshop 3 (in more detail): From the information collected in workshop 1 and 2, what are we seeing? Are any patterns emerging? Is there anything missing? Group 1 Communication is important We want local people who understand local issues working on these projects Clarity of roles of various groups and Council to work out how to get things done There are so many groups; big and small Council’s role should be to be a facilitator to connect the groups together Awareness of limited funding Stressed importance of many groups working together Small organisations and individuals working in partnerships – already happening Little reference book – directory (creswick.biz -> creswick.net run by Business & Tourism) Council office needs more awareness of what is happening in Creswick Anthony – was one of best assets in Creswick Questions around role of Council in the Community Plan Group 2 Got so much going for us in this town Look at the assets we’ve got and get them up to scratch before moving on to new projects Build on what we’ve got, so much we can work on and build on already We’ve got an amazing list of things in front of us Vision statements - coordinate into one thing One community – we need to be going in the same direction, working towards the same goals Start with what we’ve got - not “we want this, we want that” like a kid in a lolly shop Realistic + achievable projects Big things – we need to be rational and sensible about it Group 3 1) Achievable 2) Doable 3) Pick something that can be seen as a focal point, no point going off in many tangents Main issues – main street, getting busier and busier, needs to be organized better, proper parking facilities What can the community do? – throws back to the Council Becoming a health and safety issue One of most beautiful towns – asset, jewel in the crown Group 4 Clean-up Australia – community project that everyone can get involved in Vision statements – lots of good will there, desire to work together, very positive Need to formulate all of the vision statements into one Let’s get things done – let’s be realistic
Creswick Ward Community Plan – Workshop 3
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What is a community plan? What do you want the Creswick Ward Community Plan to be? What do you want the Creswick Ward Community Plan to do? Group 1 Vision statement that is unique and relevant to Creswick Ward (not motherhood statement) Health and well-being of all community (aging population + young families) Like the fonts and pictures – visual document Dot points are good, not too much jargon As long as something does come out of it – all of this work done, not just a talkfest Has to achieve something, otherwise just wasting time Group 2 Prioritise the projects based on funding? Set realistic timeframes CWCC to fight to represent Creswick Unique position in which Shire is looking at the community Decide on something and go for it, rather than a whole list of things Example: main street Short-term projects, we will feel that we have done something, that it’s all been worthwhile 2030 is beyond our comprehension Focus on Creswick ward Succinct Something that you can measure/baseline Community doesn’t know what the CWCC does, recognises some projects that have been done Consensus Projects that everyone wants to work on Councillor role to advocate for particular projects, budget, rely on ratepayer base in other areas of the Shire/other Councillors have to be on board Group 3 Something compact and concise Stick to main and most achievable projects Realistic goals Have a big project for the town that requires a lot of forward planning Little things going on – seeing something happening Balance Restricted budgets Need basic infrastructure before having a festival, places to sleep, camp, eat, toilets Get what we’ve got up to a standard that’s useable Scale of precedent plans – different rate base 15000 residents Aquatic centre – long term project, start planning now Simplicity of Banyule plan – short, for Creswick might only be a few projects Group 4 Liked the layout Sunshine Coast – response from Council One long-term goal (big ticket item), several short-term goals Council will “note it” – the plan belongs to the Community Up to the community to review the plan as often as they’d like Council role as provider, advocate, facilitator
Creswick Ward Community Plan – Workshop 3
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CWCC reflecting back to the groups on what they heard Group 1 Vision statement to be Creswick-focused, what are we trying to achieve, drive the principles and issues and projects from that perspective Plans should look good – audience, something people want to read and look at Plan should be accessible CWCC needs to accept responsibility to report back to the community to make sure the plans and actions are coordinated, monitoring plan, see how things are progressing CWCC should be advocating for projects, go into bat CWCC elections will be in June, may be changes to who is on the CWCC Question re: CWCC election – continuity of people involved in implementation of the Plan CWCC is an advisory committee to Council, only one in Hepburn Shire Group 2 Small area, therefore something succinct that people can relate to and read Community can pick up the projects that have been suggested and put up their hands Not just about CWCC doing everything, finding others to assist Planning issues – Council Make sure that we get results out of the plan When will it be reviewed? Need to tick off Group 3 Liked the succinctness of the Banyule plan – general consensus from CWCC also the same Talks about the profile of the community Feedback to people about what they said Action plan – how to review this Maybe Creswick has 4 or 5 projects (rather than 9 or 10) Clarity and responsibility and advocacy Sign-off, rather than not knowing what’s going on Group 4 Achievable projects Long-term goal and short-term prioritized Feel OK about the long-term goals in the future Sunshine Coast plan had strategies and action plans Council’s response to community plan – good thing to have in the plan Specific actions that can be taken to implement those statements How? What will you do? Specifics so that you can see that you’ve done it and tick it off Which groups and which people run with the plan – they will dictate the actions Steps and the strategies Less about individuals as they will come and go Community can see where they can link in Next steps Facilitator’s report to be presented to CWCC – 20 April draft Community Plan – 8 weeks (end of May) Opportunity for community to provide feedback to CWCC CWCC must submit Community Plan to Council by June
Creswick Ward Community Plan – Workshop 3
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