The draft Policy follows the adoption of Council's Communications, Engagement and Advocacy Strategy 2026-2029 earlier this year. During the development of the Strategy, Council heard from community about what meaningful engagement looks like and how people want to be involved in decisions that affect them.

One of the key actions from the Strategy was a review of Council's Community Engagement Policy in 2026.

The draft Policy builds on that feedback and sets out Council’s commitment to genuine and purposeful community engagement and establishes consistent expectations for when and how we engage, and how community feedback contributes to Council decision-making.

Quality engagement creates real opportunities for people to share their ideas, experiences and local knowledge — helping Council make more informed, community-centred decisions.

The Policy aims to:

• establish a consistent approach to when and how Council engages with the community;
• provide meaningful opportunities for community to provide informed input where there is a genuine opportunity to influence an outcome;
• ensure engagement is purposeful, transparent, inclusive, respectful, impactful, coordinated, connected and adaptive;
• ensure community feedback is appropriately considered alongside other information available to Council; and
• ensure engagement outcomes are clearly communicated and, where appropriate, how community feedback influenced a decision.

We're seeking your feedback to help finalise the Policy.

The opportunity to provide feedback closes Wednesday 21 October 2026.