Applications close at noon tomorrow (Friday, 29 March) for Ipswich residents to nominate themselves as part of the expressions of interest process for Ipswich City Council’s five community reference groups.
Council is looking for up to 100 members of the community to participate in these newly-formed advisory groups.
These people will meet as a group, talking with council decision-makers, contributing ideas, views and suggestions to council about how to forge a better, more connected and vibrant city.
The five voluntary community reference groups will be aligned to the five “Advance Ipswich” strategic plan themes and new standing committees of council:
- Economic Development
- Resilient Communities
- Growth Management
- Environment
- Transparent Governance
Interim Administrator Greg Chemello said there were many issues that needed community input.
>> Apply to join a Community Reference Group <<
Speaking on ABC Radio this week, Mr Chemello said expressions of interest to be on the five committees had been coming in regularly from the public during March.
“We’d like to get them up and running in the next couple of months,” he said.
Presenter Steve Austin described the process as a “fundamental ground-up expression of democracy”.
“You are asking the people first about everything, rather than say: here are our ideas now give us your feedback. You are consulting the people … why don’t all councils do that?” Austin asked.
Mr Chemello explained: “In my view, this council needed a bit of a shake-up to restore some faith back in council. And a way of restoring faith is to get people involved. When you are getting people involved in decision-making or recommendations for decisions, people see that it is not all that easy, they get a greater appreciation of the balancing that needs to go on when you are in government.”
Mr Chemello said it was important to consult the community, although it was not always necessary.
“There are some issues where we really value and need community input. Here in Ipswich, we have been doing significant community engagement about the electoral divisional boundaries and the participation in the committees for example.
“It is not all completely open for discussion, but I think whenever we can it’s important that we do it … and in a very meaningful way, where we don’t come in with any biases or any preconceptions.”
Mr Chemello said it will be fascinating to see how the community responds to the idea of reference groups and what sort of feedback they provide to council.
He had previously stated that it was a clear effort to facilitate improved community input into decision making by local government.
“Public participation and engagement is at the core of good local government decision-making and is mutually-beneficial to the community and council,” he said.
“It is important that, during this period of administration, we reset the way your council engages with the community. This is a great opportunity for council to re-engage with the community at a strategic level.
“Individual issues such as pot holes, parking fines and barking dogs will not be discussed at these meetings. Instead, members will be asked to share their thoughts on broader issues that significantly impact a local area or the city as a whole … this is your chance to have a stronger and strategic voice for your city.”
The new community reference groups will seek to achieve membership that is broadly representative of the community and these will be chaired by Mr Chemello until a new council is elected at the local government elections in March 2020
