I’d like to start this month’s column by saying ‘thank you’.
At the beginning of March, Ipswich City Council asked for your thoughts on how you’d like to be represented by your future council through our Divisional Boundary Review Survey.
So many of you have already answered our call for feedback, and for that we’re incredibly grateful.
I’ve been impressed not just by your collective willingness to participate in the survey but by the time you have taken to share additional informed, insightful comments and suggestions.
The good news is that there is still time to have your say, as the survey will remain open until the end of March. We will include all findings in a report that will be presented to the state government for consideration as the state is responsible for any changes to the way council is structured.
A discussion paper explores the following three options for consideration (with often perceived pros and cons noted), with each model resulting in a minimum of eight councillors and maximum of 12 councillors being elected:
1. Undivided
2. Divided – 1 councillor per division (8 to 12 divisions)
3. Divided – 2 or 3 councillors per division (4 to 6 divisions)
This survey is part of council’s commitment to better engage with the local community and to give you the opportunity to help to shape your future council.
If you’re yet to make up your mind or have questions, I encourage you to come along to council’s community information night on Monday March 25 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.
At this forum, elected representatives from other cities will speak about each of the models and talk openly about the advantages and disadvantages of each.
We look forward to welcoming Mayor Tanya Milligan from Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Mayor Paul Antonio from Toowoomba Regional Council, and Mayor Amanda Findley from Shoalhaven City Council to our great city.
Please visit www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/shapeyourcouncil for the survey link and additional information about the options and the community information night.
It has been a busy month for council on the community engagement front.
In addition to seeking your thoughts on divisional boundaries, we are looking for up to 100 members of the community to participate in newly-formed community reference groups aligned to the five Advance Ipswich strategic plan themes of economic development, resilient communities, growth management, environmental management, and transparent government.
These people will meet as a group, talking with council decision-makers, contributing ideas, views and suggestions to council about how to build a better, more connected and vibrant city.
Expressions of interest are now open at www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/workwithus.
Public participation and engagement is at the core of good local government decision-making and is mutually-beneficial to the community and council.
It is important that, during this period of administration, we reset the way your council engages with the community. We’re certainly on track to achieving this goal thanks to your commitment to open, honest and meaningful discussion and debate.
I look forward to revealing the results of the Divisional Boundary Review Survey and to releasing the membership of our five community reference groups in the coming months.
