MORE THAN 50 people attended sessions this week to hear about the upcoming Community Solutions Panel and how community members and organisations could provide a submission to the panellists.
Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson said he was delighted that so many people came and had their say.
“We are an active and passionate community and it was great to see and hear from so many people this week at the four community information workshops held across the Shire,” Mayor Richardson said.
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“The sessions were hosted by research foundation New Democracy, Councillors and Council senior executive team.
“It was an opportunity for people to hear more about the project, ask questions, provide feedback on what information will be presented to panellists in Council’s ‘briefing book’ and to work through how they can provide input to the panel.
“Naturally some people are sceptical about such a new and different process – it wouldn’t be Byron without some healthy scepticism.
“This is innovative, empowering decision making that will also ensure we support our community that want to be more involved in decision making – and the Community Solutions Panel is our first step.
“The Community Solutions Panel will be tasked with coming up with recommendations around the question – what infrastructure spending should we prioritise and how should we fund these priorities if the rates alone are not enough?
“While the panel will be made up of 28 ‘everyday’ people and picked at random like a jury, we want to make sure that they hear a diverse set of views and what community and stakeholder groups think.
“That’s why we are inviting proposed solutions from community members, stakeholders, resident associations and community organisations,” he said.
Submissions are open now and should be provided by Friday 23 February so that they can be compiled for panellists before their first meeting on 7 March 2018.
Submissions can still be made after 23 February, however panellists will have less time to review the material and reflect on the proposal outlined.
Submissions should be made using the template available at www.yoursaybyronshire.com.au.
“Part of the Panel’s challenge is to think through how infrastructure priorities can be funded if rates alone are not enough,” the Mayor continued.
“To help them with this, we want to tap into the best thinking of some of the shire’s most entrepreneurial, most creative thinkers.
“We are going to host blue-sky ideas sessions on 8 and 9 March to come up with as many ideas that can help generate funds to put towards the shire’s most pressing needs.
“Some of them will need to be fleshed out and developed as partnerships, but those that could be implemented by Council within the four-year focus of the Panel will be a great set of ideas for the Panel to have at their fingertips and consider,” he said.
The big-idea sessions will be held:
- Thursday 8 March 2018, 2.00 – 4.30pm at Mullumbimby Civic Hall
- Thursday 8 March 2018, 6.00 – 8.30pm at Brunswick Picture House
- Friday 9 March 2018, 2.00 – 4.30p at Byron Bay Community Centre
People can register for the blue-sky ideas sessions at www.yoursaybyroneshire.com.au
The Community Solutions Panel will meet on 7, 10, 24, 25 March and present its recommendations to Councillors in April. The recommendations will be included in Council’s new Delivery Program.