Seeking feedback, and feedback on feedback

COMMUNITY engagement factors significantly into how we as a Council make important decisions.

It is imperative that we hear from the community who will be most impacted by the policies we adopt and the local laws we enforce.

We saw this recently with the adoption of the 2025-26 budget, which took into account some 380 submissions from the public, and ultimately shaped some of the significant financial decisions we made.

We currently have a range of matters that are open for community engagement, spanning social issues, hospitality guidelines and – ironically – how our public engagement policy works.

The Outdoor Dining Guidelines are currently open to public engagement until July 23 and we would be eager to hear your thoughts on the current draft.

We all love our region’s vibrant dining scene, and these guidelines aim to provide clear, practical advice for hospitality businesses with outdoor dining areas.

Food is one thing that really brings our community together, and we want to celebrate that. We also want to recognise the barriers that exist in our community that may be making people feel isolated or lonely.

Results of the 2024 Geelong Preventative Health Survey found that 25 per cent of surveyed residents felt lonely, which is slightly above the state’s 23.3 per cent average.

This sense of isolation is something we cannot ignore, and it’s why we’re seeking expressions of interest to join our inaugural Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG).

This group will collaborate to investigate the root causes of loneliness and isolation in Greater Geelong and develop actionable strategies to overcome them.

Group members will receive training and development opportunities, be remunerated for their time and have their say on projects that increase community connection and inclusion.

The City would love to see the SIAG represent the diversity of our region and can offer support where needed.

If this is something you would like to participate in, I urge you to put forward an expression of interest before Thursday 31 July. Visit yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/EOI-SIAG

While you’re on the Your Say website, be sure to check out the Community Engagement Policy Review.

We’re not just seeking feedback; we’re seeking your feedback on how we gather your feedback!

We are currently updating our existing Community Engagement Policy and want to ensure that it reflects what our community needs and expects when it comes to gathering feedback about issues that might affect, impact or interest you.

If you feel there is a gap in how we seek your input, now is your chance to have a say and support the change you want to see.

Engagement closes on Sunday, August 3, so you still have some time to consider how we best connect with our community. Once you have given this some thought, visit yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/community-engagement-policy-2025-2029

If supporting positive change isn’t incentive enough to get involved, then perhaps a gift voucher could sway your input.

As an added incentive, registration on the Have Your Say platform enters you into a draw to win a $100 gift voucher. It’s a chance to benefit both your community and your back pocket!

We deeply appreciate the time and effort our community put into providing us with invaluable feedback, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing how these shape our important guidelines and policies.

Cr Trent Sullivan

Leopold Ward,

City of Greater Geelong