Policy Review - Community Engagement Strategy and Framework 1120

At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 15 April 2025, Oberon Council resolved to place the reviewed Community Engagement Strategy and Framework 1120 on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, commencing 16 April 2025.

The Community Engagement Strategy and Framework has undergone a comprehensive review and a revised version is now presented for community consultation through public exhibition.

The revised Community Engagement Framework & Strategy responds to both statutory obligations and community expectations. The policy has been reviewed and updated to reflect contemporary engagement practices, ensuring Oberon Council remains responsive and transparent in its decision making.

Summary of amendments to the policy:

Key amendments to the Community Engagement Framework & Strategy include:

• Integration of digital engagement methods, including: o Use of social media for awareness and participation; o
  • Enhanced use of the “Have Your Say Oberon” platform to facilitate online consultation;
  • Use of digital surveys, polls, and interactive tools;
• Inclusion of a Communication Strategy Framework that defines engagement goals: Awareness, Educate, and Response;
• Updated engagement process model outlining steps from planning to evaluation;
• Enhanced alignment with the IP&R Framework, clearly showing the role of engagement in strategic planning;
• Clearer communication principles: inclusiveness, consistency, respect, and transparency.
• Removal of Appenidx A – Community Participation in Council’s Planning Decisions. To enhance transparency and ensure clearer accountability, this document has been removed from within the Community Engagement Framework & Strategy. This change will allow the policy, which outlines how the community can participate in Council’s planning decisions, to be reviewed, updated and considered as a standalone document to support a clearer and more accessible understanding of Council’s planning engagement process.

The report presented to Council and the revised policy are available for download in the Documents tab of this page. Community members are invited to review the updated policy and provide their submissions during the exhibition period.

Submissions can be made below, or via email and sent to council@oberon.nsw.gov.au and must be received by the closure of the public exhibition period at 4:30 PM on 15 May 2025.