Current situation
- Residents currently have very limited input into how the Council decides on infrastructure projects.
- Decisions are often made without engaging the community, with residents typically informed only after decisions are finalised.
- There is little transparency regarding how infrastructure spending is distributed across different areas of the municipality.
- There is no clear policy or established process for prioritizing infrastructure investments.
What is the issue
- The lack of resident involvement can result in decisions that do not reflect community needs or preferences.
- Residents may feel excluded from important decisions affecting their local area.
- Residents sometimes only learn about projects on their street once construction has already begun.
- This lack of engagement can reduce trust between residents and Council.
My plan
- Each year, Council will publish a list of potential infrastructure projects suggested by both Council and the community.
- Residents can provide comments, feedback, and suggest new ideas via email, post, or phone.
- A transparent set of criteria will be used to prioritise projects, considering cost, recent spending in the area, and community demand.
- Council will decide which projects to fund or apply for grants to support.
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Residents who provided feedback will be notified of the final decisions and given the reasons why projects were so prioritised.
The benefits
- Residents have a genuine say in infrastructure decisions affecting their community.
- Increased transparency and fairness in project prioritisation.
- Improved community satisfaction and trust in Council processes.
- More efficient use of resources by aligning spending with community priorities.
- Stronger engagement between Council, residents, and local stakeholders.