The community is being asked to have input into how it can participate in East Gippsland Shire Council’s decision-making processes.

Council is reviewing its Community Engagement Policy and community feedback is an important step in that review.

The policy sets out Council’s commitment to how it will seek and act on community input into the work it delivers - from services, community facilities to capital projects, as well as the ways it will keep people informed and how feedback influences decisions.  

The policy also includes Council’s engagement principles and the different levels of engagement it will use to connect with its communities, actively listen, and give them a voice.  

Mayor Cr John White said Council wants to hear your thoughts about the draft policy including its proposed engagement objectives, how it will engage, and the way it reports back to the community about how community feedback has helped shape decisions.

“There will be many ways you can have a say, including an online survey and poll and drop-in sessions across our communities over the next few weeks. We will also be reaching out directly to key stakeholder groups and the Community Panel for their input,” John said.

“Effective engagement helps us achieve better outcomes for the community and builds trust in the work we do and how we make our decisions. We want to hear your thoughts on the policy, and your input into the many and varied projects and services we deliver.

“Community influence has a positive impact on what we deliver, and this policy is our framework that provides opportunities for residents, visitors, businesses and stakeholders to have their say.”

During the engagement on the policy, Council will also be asking for feedback on the preferred ways individuals and groups like to be engaged and communicated with.

How to have your say

Feedback on the policy is open from Monday 22 September to 12pm Monday 20 October.

Read the policy and complete a brief survey:

• Online at yoursay.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au
• In-person at any of our service centres and libraries (hard copy or online)
• In-person at any of our drop-in engagement sessions (see schedule below)
• At our mobile library vehicles
• Complete a quick poll on our Your Say engagement portal
• Email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au  
• Writing to us at East Gippsland Shire Council, PO Box 1618, Bairnsdale, 3875.

Drop-in community engagement sessions:

Bairnsdale

Tuesday 7 October, library, 10am-12pm

Thursday 9 October, library, 6pm onwards

Cann River

Thursday 16 October, community centre, 10am-12pm

Lakes Entrance

Wednesday 15 October, service centre, 12-2pm

Mallacoota

Wednesday 15 October, service centre, 2-4pm

Omeo

Thursday 9 October, community hub, 12-2pm

Orbost

Thursday 16 October, service centre, 2-4pm

Paynesville

Thursday 16 October, service centre, 10am-12pm

Online

Monday 13 October, 2-4pm

Monday 13 October, 6-7.30pm

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More details of the sessions are on our website or please phone us.

After the feedback period, the policy and community feedback will be presented to Councillors later this year for consideration and adoption. The outcome will be promoted publicly and where community members have provided their contact details when submitting feedback, Council will close the loop directly with you.