Central Coast Council has received a Highly Commended recognition in the 2020 ‘IAP2 Australia Core Values Awards’ for its excellence in embedding the value of community engagement into its core business.

The IAP2 Australia Core Values Awards are run by The International Association for Public Participation and recognise best practice in public participation. Council’s Highly Commended award was in the 'Australasian Organisation of the Year’ category.

Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said over the last four years Council has worked hard to embed the value of community engagement within the organisation and this recognition is tribute to our staff passionate about seeking community participation in key projects.

“Together with the community, we have tried and tested new face-to-face and online methods, built relationships with our hard-to-reach communities and commenced a new place-based engagement Let’s Talk series following feedback from our residents to be consulted on holistic planning and activities for local neighbourhoods,” Ms Vaughan said.

“The Central Coast community is positive about the way we engage, and understand how they can actively participate and find out how their voices influence the decisions that shape the future of their region.

“It is a great achievement to be recognised by the judges, who are some of Australia’s leading community engagement professionals. I congratulate our team on their success and Melbourne Water on their win in the same category.”

Council’s consultation with the community is ongoing and in the past four years Council has engaged on a wide range of topics and issues, including:

• planning for the impacts of Climate Change
• land use and place planning for our growing region
• playgrounds and skate parks
• affordable housing
• the needs of youth, people with disabilities and our aging population
• roads and pathways
• waste and resource management
• a broad range of environmental issues and conservation initiatives; and
• our water and sewer services

Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said Council has the important responsibility of ensuring decisions it makes for and on behalf of the community, guarantee that appropriate community input is considered in the process.

“Community participation in Council matters is important because it creates a shared sense of purpose, direction and understanding of the need to deliver services for our community and plan for our future,” Mr Persson said.

“It also provides an improved process for two-way engagement that recognises and embraces community knowledge, ideas and expertise and contributes to building community confidence in Council.

“Council is passionate about ensuring the community’s voice is part of our key projects. I congratulate the Community Engagement team for this great recognition and encourage our community to continue getting involved and sharing their thoughts with us.”

Council currently has 11 projects open for community feedback. To be the first to know about projects open for consultation sign up to Council’s weekly Coast Connect e-newsletter by searching ‘enews’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or visit yourvoiceourcoast.com