Community survey to better define Portarlington's identity

Community survey to better define Portarlington’s identity

PCA Portarlington Identity Project chair Andrew Mountford and secretary Dr Anne Whisken. Photo: SUPPLIED

THE Portarlington Community Association (PCA) is making it easier for the community to more easily decipher what Portarlington’s identity as a town is, allowing residents to represent and promote the town as part of their lives.

The PCA will conduct a community survey to ask Portarlington’s residents, workers and visitors to contribute their views about Portarlington’s identity and values.

The survey is based on research by the Portarlington Identity Project (PIP) Working Group, which reviewed 30 years of publications and reports about the town.

“We’re excited to bring the results of 10 months’ research to the community to ask people whether they agree that these descriptions adequately describe our town’s valuable features,” secretary of the survey working group Dr Anne Whisken said.

According to the PIP Working Group’s terms of refence, its purpose is “to make recommendations to the PCA for ways to work with the Portarlington community to establish a clear agreed statement of identity”.

“The intention is to arrive at a common agreed statement of Portarlington identity which can be used by the PCA to develop a strategic vision and plan for Portarlington’s future structure and development.

“Further, it is intended that this statement of identity can be used more broadly by other groups and bodies as a reference point for how Portarlington can be understood and described.”

The PCA survey for the PIP found Portarlington’s overall identity can be described as a small, relaxed coastal holiday town with features greatly valued by residents and visitors alike, with safe beaches, a historic port and views across Port Phillip Bay to the You Yangs and Melbourne.

The town’s 10 valued features include its beachside lifestyle, connected “village” style community, and its vibrant dining and shopping strip.

The PIP survey will continue until the end of February.

For more information about the PIP Working Group, head to portarlington.asn.au/portarlington-identity-project