does online community engagement work for local government

Hot Local Topic

Built up database

Stopped unofficial sites gaining traction in the

community

Hornsby HousingStrategy

www.bangthetable.com/hornsbyhousing

35,300 Visits9,200 Visitors1,148 Comments1,444 Docs Downloaded

Unique

LightRail to Randwick

www.yoursayrandwick.com.au/lightrail

28,137 Visits 7,435 Visitors 208 Comments (still live)4,733 Docs Downloaded

Unique project branding

Campaigning on a key local issue

Your Say Warringah

www.yoursaywarringah.com.au

18 Months90,000 Visits18,500 Visitors2097 Comments23,606 Docs Downloaded

Consistent approach to online engagement

Compliments traditional engagement activities

Over 25 projects

Always something going on

Parallel IssuesBlue Mountains Council ran nine consultations online in quick succession and in parallel to drive traffic from high interest issues through to lower interest projects when they launched have your say Blue Mountains.

www.haveyoursaybluemountains.com.au

16,364 Site Visits3,780 Visitors46,816 Page Views428 CommentsIn the Launch Period

Community BuildingLocal Engagement that brought people back to the site on a regular basis over almost 2 years.

Sydney Harbour National Park Plan of Management

Building a community through:

• Regular site changes and updates

• New things to discuss

• New Videos and information

• Regular emails to participants

• Open discussion - but issue with expectations here.

www.sydneyharbourpom.net.au

60,000 Visits14,126 Visitors12,109 Downloads333 Comments

Demonstrable responsiveness

The Lake Macquarie Council waste management team made 62 comments on their own forum to either respond, thank or follow up on participant comments. www.haveyoursaylake

mac.net.au

5968 Site Visits1966 Visitors286 Comments

“Hi Chookman,

A 2 bin system achieves the same reduction to landfill as the 3 bin system - it recycles the general waste and turns it into a compost through an alternative waste treatment system. The benefit with a 2 bin system is people don't need to sort their food waste from everything else in their general kitchen bin, it remains business as usual, which caters to those people who are reluctant to make the effort to do this sorting.”

Knowledgeable Facilitators

Knowledge specialist facilitators prompted participants to dig deeper in the Yarra Ranges Art in Public Places Consultation.

www.yarrarangesviews.com.au2,400 Visits600 Visitors248 Comments8 Average per Participant28/220 Comment/Reply Ratio

OpenQuestionsBroken Hill City Council got a thoughtful response to its Aquatic Centre consultation by asking a series of open questions.

Open Question

What are your thoughts on the best way to structure the entry fee and what do you think would be an appropriate charge?

Open QuestionDo you have a view on the best way for recreational swimmers, club swimmers and lap swimmers to share the 25m and 50m pools?

Open QuestionWhat new facility would you like to see incorporated into the complex should extra funding become available?

www.bangthetable.com/brokenhillpool9,200 Visits2,800 Visitors92 Comments

Appreciative QuestionsThe City of Melville’s community development team asked their community to think positively to help inform their cultural plan.

Appreciative Question

What are three things you like to do in the City of Melville and why?

Appreciative Question

What ideas do you have to enhance the quality of life in our local community?

Appreciative Question

When people visit, what are you proud to show them in your local community and why?

www.werelisteningmelville.com.au2097 Site Visits809 Visitors146 Comments

Scenario Based QuestionsScenario based questions prompt participants to respond deeply to complex issues and provokes thoughtful dialogue.

Is an offence that only risks a high level of harm more or less serious than an offence that actually causes a lower level of harm?

Scenario 1David throws a rock off a freeway overpass into moving traffic. The rock narrowly misses the windscreen of a car and bounces to the side of the road. No

one is physically injured.

Scenario 2 David punches Victor once in the face, intending to injure him, Victor’s

face is bruised.

www.talksentencing.vic.gov.au

3775 Visits1440 Visitors218 Comments