City and Residents Celebrate Launch of Community Plan

The plan titled People, Places, Participation will give community members more influence over the future directions of the City of Melville.

At the launch Mayor Katherine Jackson said the Community Plan aimed to not only develop an appropriate response for today’s environment, but also for the future. “This long-term Community Plan recognises the role of the community in determining its own future,” she said. “It will be the key strategic document for guiding the council’s business planning and service delivery.”

People attending the launch were fortunate enough to listen to community planning expert Jim Diers. Mr Diers worked at the City of Seattle in the United States and currently lectures on community driven development at the University of Washington and all over the world.

Mr Diers admired the City of Melville for their future vision and related through his own personal experiences. “There will be challenges ahead but it will be very rewarding in the end,” he said. “The goal is to build a better community and that will happen if you’re all engaged.”

The 10-year plan was developed with an enormous amount of community consultation and input. Councillor Christine Halton, who was heavily involved in the plan’s development, addressed the room regarding the City’s efforts to engage the community in creating this broad and dynamic plan. “The project aimed to involve the community prior to the launch of the Community Plan and not just once it was completed,” she said.

Community member Trish Donovan from Willagee Alive said it was important to be a part of the process, both as a community member and part of a volunteer group in the area. “It is essential that the community and its Council work together to create a safe and friendly environment for all of its residents,” she said.

The Community Plan 2007 – 2017 will see the City of Melville focus on several priorities in the community such as monitoring the impact of major developments, facilitating sustainable transport and housing options and beginning neighborhood planning.

For more information on the City of Melville’s Community Plan visit melvillecity.com.au/communityplan, or phone Leanne Hartill on 9364 0658 or email lhartill@melville.wa.gov.au.