Countdown to shire community consultation

YARRA Ranges residents have just eight more days to have a say on the shire’s draft Community Consultation Policy.
Yarra Ranges mayor Tim Heenan said the draft policy would provide a clear understanding of what the council stands for in relation to community consultation.
“The policy has been developed as part of the shire’s commitment to open and effective consultation – in particular when it is making important decisions,” Cr Heenan said.
Cr Heenan said it was clear the community wanted to play an active role in the council’s decision-making processes.
“The draft policy doesn’t aim to set hard and fast rules about how all community consultation should be conducted,” he said, “that would be too inflexible.
“Instead, it seeks to establish a benchmark for the kind of outcomes the community can expect from consultation, for example, that sufficient time has been allowed for the consultation and that it has been open and accessible,” Cr Heenan said.
Copies of the draft policy are available from the shire’s Community Links at Healesville, Yarra Junction, Lilydale, Monbulk and Upwey, on the shire’s website at www.yarraranges .vic.gov.au or by phoning 1300 368 333.
Public comment can be made until 28 February.