Steve is also an ideas man. That’s why dad calls him an ideas man. He has lots of ideas.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It’s the classic quote from the quintessential Australian film The Castle (1997).
Now Port Stephens Council is after these ‘Steves and Stephanies’, from Woodville to Nelson Bay and everywhere in between, to share their ideas and make Port a better place.
People don’t have to be residents, either. They can work in the area, or they might be regular visitors.
These ideas will help formulate the Port Stephens 2028 Community Strategic Plan: Basically, what council will do about “it” and what money it will commit to the task.
"Whether its roads and rubbish, valued community services or big picture ideas, we want to create a vision that represents the true values of our community, and we can only do that with their help.”
We want to hear from residents, ratepayers, businesses and community groups about their vision for Port Stephens ten years from now and beyond.
- Mayor Ryan Palmer
The first step is to canvas ideas. It’s not as easy as it might sound.
“It can be a real challenge to get the community to think big picture,” council’s integrated strategic planning manager Penny Amberg said.
“If the community doesn’t tell us what they want, how do we know?”
Through the process, the council will place these ideas into three baskets:
- Sole responsibility. These assets and facilities are the council’s “core business” or responsibility to deliver. Think rubbish and local roads.
- Shared responsibility. Council will either facilitate or support these. State roads are an example.
- Little or no direct responsibility. For example, hospitals. Council will, however, advocate if such items are placed on the strategic plan.
“For example someone might say they want a new hospital,” Ms Amberg said.
“This isn’t council’s responsibility but we can advocate on the community’s behalf.”
With the three tiers of government residents don’t always know which government is responsible for what.
But even the, the function of councils has evolved.
“It’s documents like this that demonstrate council provides all kinds of services.”
People are sometimes unaware that council is about more than the three ‘Rs’ – roads, rates and rubbish.
- Penny Amberg
“It’s not just roads; it’s halls parks, cycleways and events to name a few.”
The plan is not the first time the council has sought ideas. It’s part of the state government’s requirement of councils to review its direction at the start of every new term.
And since the voters have elected a new council, staff members like Ms Amberg will move through the community in coming weeks to discuss with people their ideas.
The council will operate a stall at the following places:
- Karuah Timber and Oyster Festival, October 21 from 9am to 4pm.
- Tomaree Library, October 25, from 10am to 12noon.
- Raymond Terrace Library October 27, 11am to 1pm.
- Jacaranda Festival Raymond Terrace, Sunday November,5, 9am to 1pm.
"We're serious about listening to our community, so we want to make it easy for people to tell us their vision for Port Stephens, whether that's in person, online or in writing," Cr Palmer said.
Submissions from this first stage of consultation will be used to inform the draft Community Strategic Plan, which will then go back to the community in April 2018 for formal exhibition.