Have your say on how Council engages with the community

The Community Engagement team is heading out and about to connect with the community as part of the Creating Cardinia on the move engagement initiative.

The initiative is the first of its kind for Cardinia Shire Council and provides an opportunity for community members to learn more about Council’s community engagement opportunities, policy and practices, and to ask questions. Four community engagement pop-up events are planned for this year, with the first to be held on Tuesday April 16 in Pakenham.

Council is also undertaking a review of its Community Engagement Policy and is inviting feedback on the updated Draft Community Engagement Policy 2024.

The updated policy sets out how, when and why we engage with our community to help inform Council decisions and will guide the way in which we engage with our community over the next four years. As part of the review process, a number of additional community drop-in sessions will be held across the shire where community members can chat to the team to provide feedback on the updated policy.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik encouraged community members to share their thoughts on Council’s engagement strategies and practices as part of these engagement opportunities.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to connect with Council and share their thoughts on our community engagement practices and policy,” Mayor Kowarzik said.

“By taking Creating Cardinia on the move out to our community, we aim to connect with a broader range of community members and to give everyone a voice in our community engagement activities.

“Through the community pop-up events, we aim to raise awareness of community engagement opportunities that you can have your say on, provide information and close the loop on previous consultations and to hear first-hand what you think we’re doing well in the engagement space, and what we can improve upon.

“By participating in community engagement opportunities, you’re providing Council with valuable feedback on a range of projects and policies, which in turn helps inform Council decisions.”

The first Creating Cardinia on the move pop-up event will be held on:

Tuesday 16 April, 9:30am-12:30pm and 3pm-6pm
Pakenham Central Marketplace
50-54 John Street, Pakenham.

A number of additional drop-in sessions where community members can provide feedback on the Draft Community Engagement Policy 2024 will be held across the shire:

• Wednesday 10 April, 9am–10am and 1pm–2 pm at Cardinia Cultural Centre, 40 Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham.
• Wednesday 10 April, 5pm–7pm, Coffee with a Cop at Hicks Reserve, corner Timbertop Boulevard and Goldsborough Drive, Officer.
• Thursday 18 April, 3pm–4pm at Emerald Library, 400B Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald.
• Friday 3 May, 10am–11am at Garfield Community Centre, Beswick Street, Garfield.

You can provide feedback on Council’s current engagement approach by completing the survey on our Creating Cardinia engagement platform at Creating Cardinia on the move | Creating Cardinia

Community members can provide feedback on the Draft Community Engagement Policy 2024 until 8 May 2024. Comments received will be considered as part of the policy renewal. To view the updated Community Engagement Policy visit Draft Community Engagement Policy 2024 | Creating Cardinia