Community Consultation Committees

The Corporation undertakes extensive consultation with our customers about issues of significance in their local community.  Part of this process includes the formation of Customer Consultative Committees for specific projects to enable customer input into our planning and decision-making process.  This enables us to become more responsive to the needs and concerns of our customers.

About the Committees

A Community Consultation Committee is an advisory body that is convened to examine a specific issue or proposal that is of interest to a community.  These groups are usually established to contribute to the democratic decision making process as a Government or Government Corporation.

A Community Consultation Committee is comprised of a range of people who represent a cross section of a community and the issue to be examined.  Most particularly, the views of people who are both supportive and opposed to a proposal or issue are to be represented in the group.

It is the role of a Community Consultation Committee to:

• Acknowledge views and concerns expressed by the community;

• Seek information relating to community views and concerns;

• Verify information and advice is obtained from accredited/independent experts;

• Examine and test the concerns of the community against the information and advice;

• Confirm to the community that the convenor has received the information and advice;

• Provide a recommendation to the convenor based on information and advice.

A Community Consultation Committee is expected to uphold the highest standing of democratic governance.   In performing their role, the community expects that Community Consultation Committee Members will:-

• Respect the democratic decision making process, which is based on a decision of the majority;

• Comply with the practice of committee governance;

• Act honestly and with integrity;

• Exercise reasonable care and due diligence;

• Be consistent in decision-making but treat all matters on individual merits;

• Participate in the decision-making process;

• Make informed and reasonable decisions in the best interests of the community;

• Be as informed as possible about the issue and the strategic function of the convenor;

• Avoid situations that might create a conflict between their public and private roles;

• Keep the community informed about the Group’s activities and report on a regular basis;

• Treat all members of the community honestly and fairly and in a way that does not cause offence or embarrassment to individuals or groups;

• Ensure the security of confidential information;

• Make no commentary on confidential information to the media or any members of the public until the Group determines the matter is no longer confidential;

• Be careful that information is not used in a way that can cause detriment to the Group.

The objectives of community consultation committees are to:-

• Inform residents and stakeholders of Goulburn Valley Water’s strategy for ensuring the security of water supply into the future.

• Inform residents and stakeholders of Goulburn Valley Water’s strategy for implementing the most effective wastewater management program.

• Demonstrate the Corporation’s preparedness for accommodating future growth in the area/region.

• Identify and address community concerns associated with the Corporation’s strategy.

• Obtain community support for the Corporation’s Strategy.

• Minimise delays and costs associated with delays caused by opposition to the Corporation’s Strategy.