Council prepared trends and issues fact sheets with the assistance of both internal and external experts. These fact sheets were used to inform the community during the consultations process.
The vision elements that were developed as a result of this consultation were tested through community reference group meetings as well as a separate consultation for younger persons.
The Bold Future project provided a blueprint for the city to achieve its citizens’ vision over the next three decades. It also provided a significant platform on which to base Council’s medium term planning as reflected in its Corporate Plan 2009-2014.
During the public exhibition period of 8 April to 8 May 2009, details of the availability of the draft Corporate Plan were publicised throughout the community.
Twenty eight submissions were received in response to the public consultation on the Corporate Plan.
The following steps were taken to ensure the community’s views were considered by Council:
- all submissions were assessed and responded to individually
- the submission’s appropriateness for inclusion in the Corporate Plan was considered. Where operational issues were raised, these were referred on to the appropriate area within Council
- points of view from individual submissions were considered and balanced against the wider community interest and priorities
- all submissions were presented to Council
- all those who submitted responses were advised of Council’s response in respect of their submission.
Community Engagement
Customer Satisfaction
Recent research found that 'planning for the future' was of high importance to the Gold Coast community but was perceived as the Council’s lowest performing area.
The research was conducted in two stages:
- focus groups with Gold Coast residents to identify priority areas in service delivery and activities by Council
- quantitative telephone survey with 1,503 Gold Coast residents
Planning for the future had the greatest impact on residents’ overall satisfaction with Council’s delivery of its services and activities. The most important aspects were:
- having a clear vision for the future
- planning for population growth
- ensuring the city’s infrastructure will keep pace with planned growth
Community consultation
The Corporate Plan is based on an extensive consultation process.
From October 2007 to May 2008, Gold Coast City Council embarked on consultation for its Bold Future project. More than 11,000 people had their say on Bold Future by filling in an online or hard copy survey or by attending one of a series of forums
Survery response by source:
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