ABOUT COUNCIL - Parramatta City Council - NSW Government

ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITYWELCOMINGFEEDBACKCouncils can no longer afford to create policies, plans andstrategies in isolation without consulting the key users oftheir services. As well as handling over the phone and inperson enquiries at our Customer Contact Centre, Councilengages with its community through a range of committees,organisations, services and avenues to ensure that the peopleof Parramatta have a better understanding of the issues andchallenges confronting the local government sector.ADVISORY COMMITEESCouncil relies on the expertise of dedicated members of itsadvisory committees: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander;Access; Arts; Community Safety; Cycleways; and Heritage.CENTRAL PARRAMATTA PLANNING COMMITTEE (CPPC)Council delegates functions to the CPPC to ensure that weremain at arms length from development applications that posea potential conflict of interest.PARAMATTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRYCouncil meets and discusses issues with the Chamber ofCommerce and Industry on a regular basis.CONTACTING COUNCILLORSMembers of the community can raise concerns withParramatta’s Councillors via email or Council’s website,regardless of which ward the individual Councillor represent.CUSTOMER COMPLIMENTS AND COMPLAINTSCouncil invites written or online feedback under our CustomerCompliments and Complaints Policy.DESIGN REVIEW PANELThis panel’s expert services continue to improve the urbandesign of Parramatta’s new residential flats and commercialdevelopments.DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONSCouncil places weekly full page advertisements of Parramatta’sdevelopment applications and construction certificates, andoffers a pre-lodgement consultation process for domestic anddeveloper applicants.HERITAGE ADVISORY SERVICECouncil offers a free advisory service for residents who wish toupgrade heritage-listed properties.HERITAGE GRANTSCouncil makes grants available from its Local Heritage Fund toassist residents carrying out works to heritage listed properties.OPERATIONAL LIAISON OFFICERS (OLOs)Council’s OLOs inspect Council wards on a rotational basisand pass on concerns of residents and businesses to relevantofficers.PUBLIC FORUM AT COUNCIL MEETINGSCommunity members are encouraged to submit questions orcomments to the Public Forum Session of Ordinary CouncilMeetings, relating to general policy matters or developmentapplications.COMMUNITY VOICECouncil’s revamped Community Voice Panel continues toprovide valuable feedback into our service delivery performanceand helps prioritise projects. Our Research and Consultationteam survey users of Council’s key services such as libraries,theatres and community facilities for hire.52 PARRAMATTA CITY COUNCIL - ANNUAL REPORT 2010/11