Warren Shire 2035: Residents Asked to Help Shape Shire’s Future
01 March 2022
Warren Shire Council is undertaking a review and renewal of its major planning documents and is calling on all residents, business owners and stakeholders to have their say on helping to shape the future of the Shire.
To begin this community engagement process, Council is asking all residents to share their thoughts at a community workshop that will inform a review of Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP), Warren Shire 2035: a working document that identifies the main priorities, objectives and strategies for the future of the LGA.
The Warren Shire 2035 Community Planning Workshop will be held on Thursday 17 March at the Warren Shire Community Room, 115 Dubbo Street, Warren, from 6pm – 7.30pm. An online survey will be available for any residents who can’t attend.
Mayor of Warren Shire, Councillor Milton Quigley, says the CSP influences all facets of community life and as such, it’s imperative to engage as many residents and stakeholders as possible in this critical planning process.
“Following the NSW Local Government Elections held in December last year, local government across NSW has entered a new phase of integrated planning and reporting, as newly-elected Councils work to shape their communities in both the long and short term.
“Here in Warren Shire, we want to build on the work already undertaken to develop the existing CSP, by reviewing and improving this document that sets out the social, economic, infrastructure, environmental and governance strategies and objectives for the future of our community.
“To this end, we’re asking everyone to get involved by attending our upcoming community workshop or completing our online survey to have their say on how we can continue to make Warren Shire a great place to live and work, both now and in the future,” says Mayor Quigley.
The Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework for NSW Local Government requires all Councils to prepare a 10-year Community Strategic Plan and Resourcing Strategy, as well as a 4-year Delivery Program, Annual Operational Plan including budget estimates, and other key documents.
Council’s General Manager, Gary Woodman, says the review and renewal of all of these important planning mechanisms will be supported by a robust Community Engagement Plan to encourage broad and transparent involvement across all community sectors.
“At its meeting this month, Warren Shire Council adopted a Community Engagement Plan designed to involve the wider community in reviewing and providing feedback on the current and draft IP&R Framework documentation.
“This Plan is in accordance with Council’s Communications and Engagement Policy and Community Engagement Strategy adopted in September last year, which aims to facilitate open and transparent decision making in all Council processes and strengthen community participation and involvement,” says Mr Woodman.
Despite operating within reduced timeframes, Warren Shire Council has a full program of community consultation activities planned between now and when the documents will need to be adopted at the end of June.
“All Councils in NSW are operating within shortened timeframes for the renewal of their IP&R planning documents, due to the postponement of the Council elections from September to December 2021.
“This means that in Warren Shire, the next few months will be filled with a range of community consultation and engagement activities to ensure we inform, consult and involve our entire community at every step of the way,” adds Mr Woodman.
Warren Shire Councillors, staff and residents are encouraged to attend:
WARREN SHIRE 2035
Community Planning Workshop
Thursday 17 March 2022
Warren Shire Community Room,
115 Dubbo Street, Warren
6pm - 7.30pm
Register your interest with Council’s Executive Assistant via jab@warren.nsw.gov.au or 6847 6600 or nominate your attendance via council’s webpage.
The online survey can be completed at warren.nsw.gov.au until Thursday 31 March 2022.