Community Conversations begin with “Let’s talk Waitaki”
Published on 04 October 2023
A new way for Waitakians to have their say on their community and the future of the district has been launched this week. It is the start of a transformational approach to talking with and listening to the community by Waitaki District Council. Feedback gathered in this round of community engagement will feed into the development of the upcoming Long Term Plan for 2024 – 2034, as well as Community Board Plans, locally focussed placemaking, and other Council projects and services. Council’s ‘Let’s Talk Waitaki’ online engagement platform is a new way for the community to share their thoughts on the district. Combining this with local in-person Community Conversations sessions is the start of giving residents a greater involvement in the future shape of the district and how Council operates.
Engagement tools on the new platform will allow users to add comments and location pins to maps, upload images, participate in discussion forums and submit their ideas about their local area.
Users can choose to participate anonymously using the open engagement tools or register on the platform to access the more interactive elements. Demographic information gathered through the ‘Let’s Talk Waitaki’ platform will help Council get an overview of who is, and who isn’t participating in feedback opportunities. Council’s goal is to be inclusive and provide a variety of ways for people to engage and share feedback, which means being as representative of the community as possible. Data gathered will help evaluate whether this goal is being met.
This new engagement approach has launched with the ‘It’s Your Place’ campaign, incorporating surveys targeting residents, businesses, visitors and youth, asking participants to think about what makes their place unique and special. On completing a survey, people will be invited to RSVP to one of eleven Community Conversation sessions taking place around the Waitaki District between October 16 and October 26. These local, facilitated sessions will encourage participants to delve deeper into what they love about their place, what they think could be improved, and where their communities are headed. Elected Members and Council staff will be present at each of the conversations to listen and learn.
Surveys can be found at Let's Talk Waitaki, and printed copies can be picked up from Waitaki District Libraries and Council offices.
Chief Executive Alex Parmley says, “We are pleased to be rolling out a new public engagement approach for Waitaki District Council – one that is people-centred, that builds relationships, favours depth over breadth, and engages diverse communities.”
Mayor Gary Kircher says. “This is the start of Council’s transformation. We are involving the community at the start of the process, rather than going through the process and getting their feedback. We’ll be going back to the community at different points, to hear what they have to say. It’s important we hear from as much of the community as we can, and not just in these surveys, but in future too.
Let’s Talk Waitaki gives people that chance and opportunity”
ENDS