Community Planning

What is community planning?

Community Planning is a collaborative process undertaken with the community and Local Government.

The Swan Hill Rural City Council is initiating a community planning exercise to generate broad community discussion and input in regards to the challenges, issues and opportunities facing the respective communities.

The Community Planning process is seen as a key for the future success of the Municipality as a place to live, work, recreate and visit.

There are five steps to the Community Planning process:

Step One: Community Engagement

This is a process that ensures there is a broad sector of the community involved in the process and collection of information to be used to develop the Community Plan.

Step Two: Visioning

The visioning is the development of the initiatives that are identified to be undertaken in the community.

Step Three: Planning

Creating action plans and priorities that involves a democratic model to give all members of the community a say.

Step Four: Implementation

Community Focus Groups will be established to assist communities to implement Community Plans with support from Council.

Step Five: Evaluation

Identifying outcomes of the process, to see if they meet the initial requirements of the community. And undertake a review of the Community Plan.

Preparing for the Community Planning Process

Communities can prepare for the Community Planning process by reflecting and discussing with others in regards to the following questions-

1. What do people want to preserve in their community?
2. What do people want to create in their community?
3. What do people want to change in their community?
4. What do they see as their long-term future?

In implementing the Community Planning process it is important to identify services, organisations, groups, and others who are part of the community to include them in discussions.

Consideration needs to be given to promote activities to enhance community safety, health and wellbeing. This will further develop the built, social, economic and natural environments.

It will be necessary to identify previous findings from community consultations that can be incorporated into the planning process. This will enable communities to move forward.

To assist communities in gathering information for the planning process, Fiona is available to attend and facilitate meetings or meet with individuals and/or groups.

For further information contact Fiona Gormann at the Council offices in Splatt Street Swan Hill or phone 5036 2333, or email fgormann@swanhill.vic.gov.au.

A Message from Councillor Greg Cruickshank, Mayor

This is a new and exciting way of Council working with communities to generate broad community discussion and input about challenges, issues and opportunities facing individual communities. It is not restricted to Council services and will provide Council employees with clearer direction on community priorities.

Council look forward to working with our communities through the Community Planning process.