Your feedback is changing how we communicate
Earlier this year, we asked our community, staff and stakeholders how we could improve the way Council communicates and engages.
Some of what we heard confirmed what we already knew. Some challenged us. And some changed the way we think.
The result is our new Communications and Engagement Strategy – shaped by local voices, experiences and ideas.
We heard you
The message was clear. You want communication that is honest, timely and easy to understand.
You want to know what's happening, why decisions are being made and how your feedback has been considered.
One comment that really stuck with us was:
"Be upfront and transparent early – it doesn't matter if we don't have all the information yet."
If you've noticed us explaining more about how Council works lately – this is why. People asked us to.
It's about trust
People told us they don't always need to agree with a decision. But they do want to understand it – how decisions are made, why projects are prioritised and what happened to the feedback they provided.
That's why this Strategy isn't intended to sit on a shelf. It's a practical roadmap, and some of the work has already started.
We're building a new website, using more plain English, improving accessibility, explaining more about how Council works and are creating new ways for our community to be involved.
We're also working to embed good communication and engagement across Council – so we think about who needs to know and who needs to be involved from the beginning, not just something to communicate at the end.
Keep us accountable
Adopting the Strategy isn't the end of the conversation.
If we drift away from the commitments we've made, pull it out. Remind us what we said we'd do. Tell us when we're getting it right – and when we're not. That's how we'll keep improving.
Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas, experiences and feedback.
👉 Read the Communications and Engagement Strategy 2026–2029 and see the community voices and actions that will help shape how Council communicates and engages over the next three years.