Better engagement key to remote communities

The NSW Government has released a new guide to strengthen consultation practices with rural and remote communities across the State.

This is part of the Government’s ongoing work to build stronger regional communities by delivering solutions tailored to local communities and informed by local knowledge.

The Regional Communities Consultation Guide outlines the Government’s approach to consulting with regional, rural and remote communities, including Aboriginal communities, to make better decisions and improve the lives of people across New South Wales.

The release of the Guide follows the introduction of the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Act 2024, by Independent Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.

“Regional communities know what they need but feel disadvantaged by current consultation processes, including a reliance on digital channels, or consultation conducted during harvest,” Mr Butler said.

“The guide will significantly reduce the risk of tick-the-box disingenuous consultation occurring or bad decisions being forced on vulnerable communities.”

In a State first this legislation enshrines that compliance with the guide is required for certain consultations, setting a clear standard that those affected by decisions should be involved in the decision-making process.

Mr Butler worked with the Government to address the barriers which have historically faced regional engagement with Government consultations, including population sparsity, and digital disadvantages.

Appropriately, the Guide is informed by in-depth stakeholder engagement across regional and rural communities, to ensure the priorities and expectations of regional, rural and remote communities are reflected.

This included direct engagement with peak organisations including; the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Local Government NSW, the Country Mayors Association, the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation and the Central NSW Joint Organisation.

Further, around 200 stakeholders participated in eight regional listening sessions held in Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Nowra, Lismore, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Narrabri and Bourke.

The guide, will now be rolled out across agencies for immediate use and can be downloaded along with a detailed engagement summary here: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/consultation-regional-communities.