Project report

Thank you to those community members who took the opporutnity to review the draft policy.

The consultation was promoted through the following channels:

• Media release on 22/07/2026
• Published articles in Mount Gambier times on 31/07/2026 and SE Voice on 30/07/2026
• Facebook posts on 22/07/2026 and 06/08/2026
• Facebook/Instagram story posts – 06/08/2026 and 10/08/2026
• Radio interviews (Triple M 03/08/2026 and ABC South East 07/08/2026)
• City of Mount Gambier e-newsletter – 04/08/2026

As a result of the request for feedback via the public survey, the Have Your Say page recorded:

• 102 visits were recorded to the consultation page
• 50 participants downloaded a document or visited multiple pages; and
• 4 completed the digital feedback form.

Of those who provided feedback:

• 2 identified that they supported the draft policy
• 1 identified that they supported it to some degree
• 1 did not support the document.

Feedback ranged from support for the draft policy's alignment with the legislative framework and Community Engagement Charter through to suggestions for a more prescriptive community engagement framework. Comments were received in relation to:

• Council discretion and flexibility in determining engagement approaches;
• accessibility and inclusive engagement;
• communication of consultation outcomes;
• consultation timeframes;
• engagement planning and reporting;
• accountability and complaints processes;
• retention of previous policy commitments; and
• broader perceptions regarding Council's current engagement practices.

Administration appreciates the time and effort taken by respondents to provide feedback and has reviewed all submissions on their merits. A table detailing the key themes of feedback received and its consideration in preparing the proposed policy can be found here.

Full copies of all consultation responses were also provided to Councillors as additional reading.

As a result of the consultation a minor typographical error was amended in the document. The endorsed policy can be found here.

A copy of the Council report for the project can be found here.