General considerations when involving the community in consultation

What are the aims and objectives of the consultation?

• What do you need to reach agreement on or find out?
• What is the statement of intent?
• Why is the community being involved?
• What contribution can the community make?
• How will feedback be managed?

Who are the key participants that need to be involved?

Consider:

• Who will be affected if your project goes ahead?
• Who will benefit?
• What community resources are likely to be required?
  • business people
  • accommodation providers
  • leisure/tourism industry providers
  • citizens
  • non-government organisations
  • young people
  • older people
  • state and local government employees

How will involvement be encouraged?

Consider:

• presentations at meetings e.g. Rotary dinners, Chamber of Commerce breakfast
• invitation letters to specific individuals/groups
• flyers in shopfronts, libraries and other public places
• announcements or segments on radio, television of print media
• email groups and discussion forums.

What are the best ways to consult and engage with people in the community?

Options include:

• focus groups
• public/community meetings, workshops and seminars
• on-line forums
• networks
• interviews
• community research
• door knocking
• phone calls
• displays in shopping centres
• stall at the local fete

What questions are people likely to ask?

• Where will funding come from and will it be on-going?
• Who is liable and is liability shared?
• Will holding this event bring an increase in crime to our area?
• Will lifestyles be affected by holding such an event?
• Will the media start taking more interest in the area in a negative way?

What if the community disagrees?

• You may need to do more research and undertake more community consultation.