Redland City Council has adopted a Community Engagement Framework that will shape the way it plans, delivers and reports on community engagement activities.
Mayor Jos Mitchell said Council believes the document adopted at today’s General Meeting will help the community understand how residents and stakeholders can have a voice in decisions that affect them.
“Effective community engagement is essential for Council to properly represent and serve our residents,” the Mayor said.
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“It is hoped that an increased flow of information between the community and the organisation further assists Council as a whole to make well-informed decisions that benefit our city.
“One of the main aims of engagement is to help Council reach and consider a diverse range of voices across the community.
“The new framework adopted by Council establishes new principles that will guide Council engagement practices and provides context to when Council will lead community engagement.
“Council believes that by providing clear guidance on what to expect when Council invites community feedback and why Council may not seek feedback on other matters, this framework helps promote transparency and accountability.”
Community engagement involves a wide range of activities, such as notifying stakeholders of local projects and approaching the community for their input on Council projects, programs and services.
The new framework aligns with Council’s commitment in the Our Future Redlands – A Corporate Plan to 2026 and Beyond to undertake meaningful community engagement that encourages diverse participation in local decision making.
“Council has been advised the framework has been informed by best practice examples from across the Australian local government sector, strengthening our engagement activities,” the Mayor said.
The Community Engagement Framework defines Council’s engagement principles of being solutions focused, building community capacity, considering diverse voices, communicating clearly and with mutual respect and closing the loop.
The framework bases its engagement methodology on International Association for Public Participation’s spectrum for public participation, a best-practice model used by a wide range of public and private sector organisations across Australia and worldwide.
The framework will take effect immediately, with Council also committing at the June General Meeting to review the framework document in 12 months and provide a report back to a Council meeting by August 2026.
