Community Engagement Update – May 2021

The Community Engagement Strategy for the Access Areas for Dogs Policy Review has been finalised by Gauge Consulting.

Two Stakeholder Workshops are being held with relevant Council staff and key external stakeholders on Wednesday 9 May 2021.

The representatives forming the Community Working Group have been evenly allocated into five Focus Groups which form a mix of self-identified dog owners and non-dog owners. Where possible, participants have been allocated from similar geographic areas to allow discussion of local examples. The Focus Group participants have been contacted in relation to their Focus Group allocation and advised which session they are scheduled to attend on the week beginning Monday 14 June 2021.

Scott Newton, Director of Gauge Consulting, will assist with the design and facilitation of all stakeholder meetings, focus groups, community drop-in sessions and the online survey to ensure there is a balanced approach throughout the Policy Review community engagement process.

The Stakeholder Workshops and Focus Group sessions will inform the content for the online survey.

The online survey will be made available once finalised, and Council welcomes feedback from the community and visitors to the Shoalhaven area. Written submissions are also welcome throughout the Policy Review via council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

Five community drop-in sessions will be held at various locations throughout the online survey period, to provide opportunities for the community and wider public to meet Council staff and the Consultant Team to discuss the Policy Review and provide feedback. Details of the dates and locations of the drop-in sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.