Seeking to engage

Macedon Ranges council (Damjan Janevski). 322848_01

Macedon Ranges council has launched a new online hub in an effort to enable a clearer, more engaging way of informing and obtaining community feedback on policies or initiatives.

Residents will be able to view current public consultations and have their say in new ways through the new Your Say hub, which has the capacity to host surveys, interactive maps, Q&As, forums and more.

The launch of Your Say supports a strategic priority of councils plan to enhance customer experience through the transformation of services, to ensure they are easy to access and provide user-friendly experiences.

Chief executive officer Bernie O’Sullivan said it was integral to hear from the community to help tailor the projects, policies and services council delivers.

“We have subject matter experts here at council who work hard to develop initiatives relevant to their field, but two-way conversation is essential to make sure we’re hitting the mark,” he said.

“Council is committed to genuine consultation and closing the loop with the community. This new online engagement hub- together with the new staff guidelines- will support that commitment.

I encourage residents to continue taking the time to review public consultations and provide feedback.”

The hub also supports a specific council plan action set to be completed this financial year, with new community engagement guidelines under development.

A number of draft policies or initiatives endorsed for public consultation late last year are set to invite feedback from February 5, including design and policy plans.