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At its Meeting on 28 February, Glen Innes Severn Council adopted a Community Consultation Policy, in order to foster high quality consultation with residents on relevant issues.

One of the policy's components involves Council making greater use of community attitude surveys, including e-surveys. "E-consultation would have several benefits for Council," said Communications/Media Officer, Catherine McBride. "It appeals to younger people and can be used by people who are unable to attend community meetings. Research also shows Internet surveys have a higher response rate than surveys conducted in other ways."

The policy also stresses the importance of ensuring Community Consultation Forums are well publicised, through the local newspaper, and through written notices at the village Post Offices, if appropriate. "We should also make letterbox drops to the villages, to inform the residents there when we are having village consultations," said Mayor Steve Toms.  "It is essential that we publicise community consultation sessions properly," agreed Cr Robert Schroder.

Another part of the policy will involve investigating methods of consulting specifically with people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Backgrounds. "At present, Council does not have a specific mechanism for consulting with people from CALD backgrounds," said Ms McBride. "However, TAFE may be able to provide advice on communicating with people from CALD backgrounds. It would also be worthwhile to use school newsletters to try to communicate with this group."

Under the policy, Council will continue to hold annual Management Plan Community Consultation Meetings. However, meetings will now only be held at the villages of Emmaville, Deepwater, Red Range, and Glencoe, and in the town of Glen Innes. "The main issues raised in the rural communities relate to roads," said Cr Schroder. "These issues are now dealt with effectively through the Rural Roads Consultative Committee, which includes representatives from all parts of our Local Government Area. It will be easier for people to discuss the issues with their local representative, and get him or her to raise them at the committee meeting." The names and contact details of members of the Rural Roads Consultative Committee are available on Council's website at www.gisc.nsw.gov.au/roads/3476.html (please click on the tab "Engineering Services" to the left hand side of the web page).

Council's General Manager, Hein Basson, said it was important for Council to be responsive and proactive in its service delivery. "Council rates community consultation very highly," he said. "Over the past two (2) years, we have implemented a number of mechanisms to help us consult with our community and gauge public opinion on a variety of issues. This policy will help us to ensure we are carrying out consultations in an effective manner."