Home >
The department > Events > Planning events > General considerations when involving the community in consultation
General considerations when involving the community in consultation
What are the aims and objectives of the consultation?
- What do you need to reach agreement on or find out?
- What is the statement of intent?
- Why is the community being involved?
- What contribution can the community make?
- How will feedback be managed?
Who are the key participants that need to be involved? Consider:
- Who will be affected if your project goes ahead?
- Who will benefit?
- What community resources are likely to be required?
- business people
- accommodation providers
- leisure/tourism industry providers
- citizens
- non-government organisations
- young people
- older people
- state and local government employees
How will involvement be encouraged? Consider:
- presentations at meetings e.g. Rotary dinners, Chamber of Commerce breakfast
- invitation letters to specific individuals/groups
- flyers in shopfronts, libraries and other public places
- announcements or segments on radio, television of print media
- email groups and discussion forums.
What are the best ways to consult and engage with people in the community? Options include:
- focus groups
- public/community meetings, workshops and seminars
- on-line forums
- networks
- interviews
- community research
- door knocking
- phone calls
- displays in shopping centres
- stall at the local fete
What questions are people likely to ask?
- Where will funding come from and will it be on-going?
- Who is liable and is liability shared?
- Will holding this event bring an increase in crime to our area?
- Will lifestyles be affected by holding such an event?
- Will the media start taking more interest in the area in a negative way?
What if the community disagrees?
- You may need to do more research and undertake more community consultation.