Borough divided as council promises better consultation

THE Borough of Queenscliffe will take action to improve its community engagement processes, as its newly adopted community vision continues to divide both councillors and residents.

At its September meeting, discussion returned to a petition, presented by Reverend Greg Crowe of the Uniting Church in August, calling on the council to “rescind” the new vision and replace it with one that better reflected the community’s feedback.

The new vision was adopted in July with significant changes that saw the document’s previous references to reconciliation and climate action removed.

It has since drawn heavy criticism from both local residents and Cr Isabelle Tolhurst, who have questioned how community consultation informed the new vision, and the delay in making the results of that consultation public.

In its meeting agenda, the council noted the concerns raised in the petition, acknowledging “it can always improve its engagement processes”.

“A strategic initiative to that effect has been included in the draft council plan 2025-2029, which is currently out for community feedback,” the response continued.

While addressing the petition last week, mayor Dr Rule said it contained “misleading and inaccurate information” by alleging Cr Donnie Grigau had breached “appropriate legal procedures” by presenting the notice of motion that led to the new vision being adopted.

Reverend Crowe, who was given the chance to speak to the petition after an “administrative error” meant he missed out on the opportunity in August, apologised for the “misrepresentation”, before recognising the council’s acknowledgement that the engagement process could have been handled better.

“I do believe that the council did not follow its own community engagement policy and I do think that was a failure of governance and I still believe council could, with good intention, reconsider its recently adopted community vision,” he said.

“Sometimes strong and wise leadership can be about recognising where we may have got it wrong and having the courage to have a second look and say, ‘We can do it better now’.”

Although concerned the borough has still not adequately responded to the community’s concerns, Cr Isabelle Tolhurst praised the borough’s commitment to improving its engagement process.

“I absolutely support these [inclusive engagement and continuous improvement] as guiding principles to our work…but I don’t think that such a commitment should have been triggered by a petition. We can do better as a group,” she said.

“By being explicit and proactive in how we will improve community engagement and the use of feedback in decision-making, this will build back trust and make for stronger outcomes.”