Central Coast Council is tracking well with its annual Community Engagement Program with nearly 90 percent of projects having been actioned as forecasted.
 

Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said that having such a high action rate on forecasted engagement activities shows that Council delivers on what it said it would for the community.

“Since July this year we have been consulting with the community on a number of significant projects and we have received hundreds of comments and submissions through our online engagement platform and via face-to-face workshops and information sessions. 

“It is pleasing to see that we are connecting with more community members with over 21,000 new visitors to our engagement platform Your Voice Our Coast.  The website is a rich source of information with detailed pages about projects under consultation including frequently asked questions, interactive maps, surveys, polls, event details and contacts for Council staff,” Ms Smith said.

At last night’s Council Meeting, five new items were endorsed to be placed on Public Exhibition prior to the end of this year. All projects have an extended feedback period to allow the community enough time to have their say over the summer holidays.

The items are:

• Central Coast Draft Night-Time Economy Discussion Paper
• Draft Central Coast Local Approvals Policy
• Draft Central Coast Outdoor Trading Specification
• Central Coast Council Regulatory Policy
• Draft Centra Coast Thematic History

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the consideration of community feedback was an important part of Council’s decision making.

 
“I proposed better communication about Council’s forecasted annual engagement program to improve transparency and increase community awareness of what items they were being invited to contribute to ahead of time. 

“Community members can access the list of upcoming community engagement projects anytime via Your Voice Our Coast, which is an important component in helping the community to get involved and have their say.”

To view the forecasted Community Engagement Program or make a submission on any open project, please visit Your Voice Our Coast.