Council Reaches Out With Community Consultation

Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie said Southern Downs Regional Council has made public consultation a priority following calls from the community to have more of a say on matters that affect them.

“Over the past few months Council has been ramping up consultation and engagement with communities across the region.

“We’ve developed face-to-face cross region forums such as our monthly ‘Cuppa with the Councillors’ and bi-monthly ‘Council Q&A’, which enable Councillors and staff to connect with residents and offer residents opportunities to have their issues and ideas for the future in their own unique and diverse communities heard.

“Councillors hosted ‘Cuppa with the Councillors’ at Allora, Leyburn and Dalveen and Council Q&A sessions were held in Warwick and Maryvale.

“Additionally, Councillors and staff attended the Stanthorpe, Allora, Killarney and Warwick Shows, and a number of other consultations were held, including face-to-face, online and via the submission process, on several topics, projects and initiatives,” said Cr Dobie.

Public consultations and engagement activities undertaken in the period January to March 2017 include the following:

• Replacement of shelters at Pioneer Park, Swanfels
• Proposed relocation of the Leslie Memorial Gates/Glengallan Gates
• Replacement of trees on Grafton Street, Warwick
• Draft Invasive Pests Control Scheme
• Proposed amendments to the Southern Downs Planning Scheme
• Heavy Vehicle Access workshop
• Proposed concept plan for the Allora Streetscape project – P L Travers Park

Information on Local Shows:

• Stanthorpe 3 & 4 February 2017
• Allora 10 & 11 February 2017
• Killarney 24 & 25 February 2017
• Warwick 24 & 25 March 2017

 Mayor Dobie highlighted that more than 750 people were estimated to have attended or participated in these consultations.

“The public sessions certainly offered the community the opportunity to ask frank and fearless questions of Councillors and staff, as well as to raise issues of local significance and have input into policy development.

“Face-to-face engagement is vital in a world where too much emphasis can be placed on comments made in social media,” emphasised Cr Dobie.

Council’s engagement and consultation process will continue with public meetings currently being arranged to allow the community to provide feedback on the draft budget and capital works program.

For more information go to:  http://bit.ly/2nC2S6b