Integrated Planning and Reporting Manual - Division of Local ...

2. THE COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN
2.3 Getting started
The effectiveness of the Community Strategic Plan and the implementation structures that support it
(the Resourcing Strategy, Delivery Program and Operational Plans) will depend largely on the
quality of information that is used to inform them and the way the plans are organised and
presented to the community. It is important that everyone has a clear vision of what they are trying
to create and how they are going to do it.
Council is responsible for managing the planning process, so that a wide range of community
members have a chance to contribute to the Community Strategic Plan. Other partners, such as
State agencies, also have a responsibility in this regard to assist the council with relevant, available
data and to participate in consultation.
There are a number of preparatory processes to undertake before Council and the community can
start setting long-term objectives and devising strategies to achieve them.
These activites include:
Deciding how Council will manage the project - Who will be responsible for what What are
the timeframes we need to work to
Agreeing on the principles that will underpin the Community Strategic Plan
Identifying key issues affecting the area and possible impacts and opportunities
Identifying existing plans that may relate to or inform the Community Strategic Plan
Preparing a Community Engagement Strategy – how will Council involve the community in
the development of the Community Strategic Plan Who needs to be involved How will it be
done
Managing the project
It is recommended that councils use a multi-disciplinary team to manage the planning process.
Because the new plans are integrated plans, it is important that community services, environmental
management, asset management, engineering and corporate services staff are involved, as well as
planning practitioners.
For the first Community Strategic Plan (2008-2012 council term) each council will have differing
timeframes to prepare the Community Strategic Plan, Resourcing Strategy and Delivery Program.
For subsequent terms, Council will have 9 months to review and update as necessary the
Community Strategic Plan and the Resourcing Strategy and prepare its Delivery Program. This
means that council may need to start the preliminary work before the local government election so
that new councillors can use their first three months of office to meet their responsibilities in the
planning process and preparing for their role in the community engagement sessions. The General
Manager should make allowance for this when preparing the Councillor induction program.
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