About Community Engagement
Community engagement is the process by which the community participates in and influences Council’s decision-making.
Council is committed to delivering effective, efficient services that meet the expectations and needs of the community. Council recognises that local knowledge, ideas and feedback from the community are essential to ensure Council’s decision-making improves community wellbeing and long term sustainability.
Community Engagement Strategy 2022-24
The Community Engagement Strategy guides how Council will engage so that a broad range of perspectives are sought and the community has a strong voice in Council’s decision-making. The Strategy is based on a set of principles and recognises that engagement is a planned practice which should be tailored, taking into account factors such as complexity, risk, significance, sensitivity, timing or opportunity.
The Strategy is applicable to the array of engagement processes that shape programs, services and infrastructure provided by Council, and plans that guide Council’s work. The Strategy enables Council to engage with the community in an ongoing, flexible and locally appropriate way.
Principles of Engagement
Five core principles drive Council’s approach to engaging the community.
Click through to find out more about each principle.
Authentic
- We value local knowledge, ideas and feedback and encourage dialogue
- We explain why we are engaging and how we will use community input
- We provide adequate notice and time for community response
Planned
- We engage as early as possible to identify critical issues and opportunities
- We coordinate engagement to guard against ‘engagement fatigue’ where people feel overconsulted
Tailored
- We use a range of tools and techniques appropriate to each engagement
- We offer face-toface and online opportunities
Inclusive
- We recognise and value community diversity
- We support participation e.g. community language translations, accessible venues and formats
Transparent
- We provide clear and relevant information without jargon
- We publish a summary of community feedback and how it was considered
- We communicate a decision or outcome to people who participated in the process
Read the Community Engagement Strategy
Your Say Inner West
You're here now!
Council's online engagement hub is the place for you to get involved in important projects that shape the future of the Inner West.
We will listen to what you say, take your opinions into account and report back to you on how community input contributes to decisions.
Our community finds Your Say Inner West a great place to engage online. Since 2022 the site’s totalled up:
Join the conversation today
Join over 9,000 Your Say Inner West members and have your say on Council projects.
Local Matters Forums
Getting to the heart of local matters
Inner West Council holds a series of monthly, face-to-face forums where Ward Councillors and the executive staff of Council attend to listen to your ideas and concerns about how your community can be improved.
We look forward to seeing you at our next forum.
Forum venues are rotated across the various Council wards each year.
Two weeks prior to each forum, you’ll be able to register to attend at yoursay.innerwest.nsw.gov.au.
Please note that these dates and locations are for the first half of 2024 only.
| Date and time | Ward | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 27 February, 6pm | Ashfield-Djarrawunang | Ashfield Community Rooms, Ashfield |
| Tuesday 26 March, 6pm | Stanmore-Damun | Petersham Service Centre, Level 3 Council Chambers, Petersham |
| Tuesday 23 April, 6pm | Balmain-Baludarri | Orange Grove Public School |
| Tuesday 28 May, 6pm | Leichhardt-Gulgadya | Haberfield Library, Michael Maher Room, Haberfield |
| Tuesday 18 June, 6pm | Marrickville-Midjuburi | Marrickville Library Pavilion, Marrickville |
Local Democracy Groups
Local Democracy Groups are made up of community members and are a part of Council's Community Engagement Strategy (PDF 2.6MB). Their role is to provide advice and input to support Council’s decision-making and actions. Their purpose is to support Council to implement the Community Strategic Plan: Our Inner West 2036 through actions outlined in Council's Delivery Program and annual Operational Plan (PDF 5.9MB).
The current term commenced in September 2022 and ends in September 2024.
Speaking at a Council meeting
You can directly address your elected representatives at Council meetings when they're discussing issues that matter to you!
Find out more about registering to speak at a Council meeting, they’re a great opportunity to ensure your perspective is heard.
