Involving the community in decisions

INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY IN DECISION-MAKING

In 2021-2022, the council returned to more in-person events to engage with the community. A forum was held in December with more planned in 2022 while more than 20 pop-ups have been undertaken across the city talking budget, transport and playgrounds among others. A focus on engaging early and continuing to embed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020 and Community Engagement Policy has been the aim of consultation activities, reiterating the importance on ensuring all residents have the opportunity to engage with the council on local priorities and the future of their community. The council sought feedback from the community on 34 matters. Those matters ranged from key strategic documents including the annual budget through the Dollars and Sense consultation, year two Council Plan, Draft Open Space and Physical Activity strategies, cycling, land sales and playgrounds. The council worked with neighbouring AlburyCity to ask both communities about all things transport to inform a new Albury Wodonga Integrated Transport Strategy under the Two Cities One Community partnership.

HOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAD THEIR SAY

The council heard from community members through the Make Wodonga Yours online portal, workshops, drop-in sessions, a Community Conversations online panel, “Seats on the Street” face-toface sessions at key locations out in the community, formal submissions, emails, phone calls, interactive maps for comments, social media and letters in the post.

HOW COUNCIL ENCOURAGED COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO HAVE A SAY

Council promoted opportunities to engage through public notices, media reports, social media posts, email newsletters, posters on community noticeboards and word of mouth.

DOLLARS AND SENSE: OUR COMMUNITY’S PRIORITIES FOR 2022 TO 2023

The council took a new approach to building its budget for 2022-2023 and started the conversation with the community a lot earlier. In February and March 2022, an extended consultation period included several online tools and in-person opportunities for people to share what they thought the priorities would be for the budget 2022-2023. The consultation included an online budget tool that allowed the community to spend $100 Wodonga bucks on key areas, a short survey, submissions as well as six pop-ups across the city. More than 300 people were involved throughout the exhibition period with several projects raised through the consultation included in the 2022-2023 budget and considered for the adjusted Council Plan for year two. The draft budget and adjusted Council Plan were then put on exhibition in May ahead of adoption in June.

OTHER ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS:

• Notice of intention to sell land – Whytes Rd • Proposed Speed Limit change on Baranduda

Boulevard • Branko Palavestra Park Playground • Draft closed circuit Television (CCTV) Policy • Place Names Advisory Committee 2021 • Draft Physical Activity Strategy 2021-2026 • Draft Financial Plan 2021–2022 to 2030 –2031 • McKoy St – Hume Freeway Intersection

Upgrade • Safe Cycling Corridors – Pearce St and Elgin

Boulevard • Notice of intention to sell land – The Willows, 11b McFarland Rd • Help shape the future of Albury Wodonga

Health • The Meaning of Water • Notice of intention to sell land – Roche Dr,

Barnawartha • Notice of intention to vary lease – Wodonga

Solar Power Pty Ltd • SV2030: A decade of action-sustainability

Victoria • Draft Open Space Strategy • Bill Black Park playground upgrade • Community Conversations – Forums 2021 • Proposed Road Closure Osburn St Notice of intention to sell land – Lot 1 and 2, Roche

Drive, Barnawartha • Council Plan adjusted 2022 • Draft Asset Plan 2022 • Draft Budget 2022 to 2023 and Draft

Financial Plan 2022 to 2023 • Notice of intention to Purchase Land – Depot site • Draft Belvoir and Willow Parks masterplan • Intention to lease land to Ausnet Electricity

Services Pty Ltd • Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan survey • Belvoir Park playground • Gayview Park playground upgrade • Coyles Rd deviation • Turner Crt discontinuance