Page 3610 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
with government to do so on their own terms. The use of innovative engagement methods such as interactive websites, webinars, media flash surveys and postcards may help us engage better with younger Canberrans. The key is to use targeted engagement methods to reach out to each of the various groups that combine to make up our community.
Older Canberrans and those with limited mobility are often best served when we disseminate information through channels such as ACTION buses, hospitals, medical clinics, community centres and the home library and mobile library services. One in five people in the ACT, for instance, identify as having a disability. It is crucial to use tools of engagement that are genuinely accessible to those with disabilities. For example, web-based engagement tools are being progressively used to remove barriers to participation. To best implement and communicate with contemporary consultation practices and as part of its citizen-centred governance implementation framework, the ACT government has recently introduced a range of initiatives to help ensure that Canberrans are better informed on issues of importance and their views heard.
In late 2008, my department took on a central coordination role for community engagement to help ensure a more consistent, considered and collaborative approach to community consultation across government. Introduction of the ACT government community noticeboard has consolidated all government information on events, consultations and announcements into a single place in Saturday’s Canberra Times. We have upgraded the ACT government’s community engagement website from the previous look and feel and its search capability. The website lists all engagement activities currently being conducted by ACT government agencies. It is a long and impressive list. The site is also a vehicle for highlighting outcomes for engagement activities, particularly any feedback received.
In April this year, the government began to consult the community on preferred engagement methods and techniques, and that work is just about complete. The project has used a range of tools, including an online forum, a telephone survey, focus groups and qualitative interviews to get feedback on the community’s preferred methods of engaging with government. The outcomes of this work will feed into a review of current community engagement models and protocols and will be used to update the government’s community engagement manual. The updated manual will provide guidance to all agencies on the most effective means of engagement and include case studies and current best practice examples.
The ACT is committed to involving Canberrans on decisions on matters that affect our community. With the dozens of community consultation processes conducted each year, it is important that Canberrans are able to provide their input to these processes in a way that is convenient and accessible.
ACT government agencies provide a huge range of opportunities for Canberrans to be heard. In the past 12 months, there have been approximately 85 consultations in TAMS alone on issues as diverse as rabbit baiting in Watson, Christmas in Gungahlin, the Tuggeranong skate park and on-road cycling. Significant consultation has taken place on the playground safety program. There has been a disabled parking review,
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .