Do you want to be part of an exceptional opportunity to influence life in Bayside?

You could be part of a Community Panel that will help to create Council’s long-term strategic plans. Complete the survey and submit your expression of interest in joining the panel.

In October 2024, Bayside will have a new council following the local government elections. The new council's first job will be to develop a Council Plan 2025 – 2029 and review the Financial, Asset, and Municipal Health and Wellbeing plans, with the help of a community panel.

These plans ensure that we're making the most of the funds collected through your rates, taking care of Bayside assets from roads, drains and footpaths to buildings and open space, and providing our community with the support and services they need.

The panel will have access to a wealth of information to inform their consideration of Bayside’s challenges and opportunities.

The panel will consider information, ask questions, debate issues and ultimately make recommendations to Council for its major strategic plans.

The Community Panel will be a mini Bayside with around 40 people representing all ages, backgrounds and Bayside suburbs.

Around 40 people will be independently and randomly selected for the panel to represent a broad cross-section of the Bayside community.

If you are selected as a panelist, you’ll have the opportunity to represent your community, meet other Bayside residents, and debate and decide what Council should concentrate on for the next four years.

You will be briefed by Councillors, Council staff and external experts to help you understand what decisions needs to be made. Small group discussions will be guided by independent facilitators to make sure everyone feels supported and everyone’s voice is heard.

You do not need to have any prior knowledge of the topics: all the information you need will be provided at the sessions.

If you are interested in joining, but feel you made need some support to take part, please let us know when you complete your nomination form. We will reach out to you to see how we can best support you if you are selected.

To get the most out of this opportunity, you’ll need to attend eight sessions (approximately 31 hours) running in February, March and May 2025.Most sessions will be in person, with some online.

• Wednesday 12 February: 6pm to 9pm (3 hours)
• Saturday 22 February: 9:30am to 4.30pm (7 hours)
• Wednesday 26 February 6.00-9.00pm (3 hours)
• Wednesday 12 March2025(on-line) 6.00-8.00pm (2 hours)
• Saturday 22 March 2025, 9.30am -4.30pm (7 hours)
• Wednesday 26 March 2025 6.00-9.00pm (3 hours)
• Wed 7 May 2025, 6-9pm (3 hours)
• Sat 17 May 2025,9.30am-3.30pm (6 hours)

There will also be an optional meeting to celebrate your contribution and to report back on how Council has addressed your recommendations.

Compensation

If you attend all 3 phases / 8 sessions, you will receive $750 ($250 per phase) for your participation. For the process to be most effective, you need to attend every session. Unfortunately, no part payments will be paid if sessions are missed without a valid reason.

As part of the panel process, we will:

• listen and consider what you have to say
• document and record all recommendations received
• identify where the community recommendations have influenced our guiding plans
• identify where we can’t incorporate a recommendation and clearly explain why.

Who can apply?

Anyone aged 18 and over, who is a resident or ratepayer of Bayside can apply, with a few exceptions set out below. Please note that only one person from any single household will be selected to participate.

Please let us know if you have any special requirements to enable your attendance, such as accessibility requirements, carer support, interpreter/translator, technology support etc. We want this event to be as inclusive as possible.

The following people cannot be a panelist:

• Bayside Council staff (current or past five years)
• Elected officials – Local, State or Federal: current and past five years

How to nominate

If you would like to take up this opportunity, please complete the nomination form at yoursay.bayside.vic.gov.au/FuturePlans.

Applications open 4 August and close on 17 November 2024.

Once registration has closed, around 40 people will be selected to take part in the panel from the nominations received.

Panelists will be independently and randomly selected based on de-identified demographic data to closely reflect Bayside’s Census population profile.

The random selection will make sure that we have diverse representation from across our community. Not all applications will be accepted if positions have been filled in each demographic.

Activate (an independent company) will coordinate recruitment of the panel independently of Council.

If you are selected, we will contact you by phone and email during the period 20 November – 15 December 2024 to let you know. We will then arrange a call with you to confirm, discuss any requirements you may have to make it possible for you to attend, and explain what happens next.

If you are unsuccessful, we will notify you by email or letter.

More information
Visit our Future Plans project page yoursay.bayside.vic.gov.au/FuturePlans or give Liz Peddie, Corporate Planner a call on 03 9599 4432.