Whakatane District's Consultation Process
Whakatane District Council considers consultation as very important as it allows the community take an active in interest in local issues. Here is where you will find our more about the Council's consultation process
Council's Consultation Process
The Council will consult with the community to make better and more informed decisions on policies, plans and issues and to meet the requirements of legislation. In order to make decisions about when the Council will consult, it is guided by the requirements of legislation and the Council’s Policy on Determining Significance.
Council’s consultation process is an important part of the Whakatane District’s democratic process. Often the timeframes and the way in which the Council consults are controlled through legislation. The Council is aware of the legislative need for consultation with its communities but, even when not mandatory, consultation is good practice as a means of identifying/clarifying issues and potentially resolving them early in the process.
Councillors and Community Board members have been elected to make decisions on behalf of their communities. Consultation is one of a number of ways in which information is gathered to make decisions e.g. research and legislation.
Council is also continuously re-examining its approach towards consultation and looking to improve methods of communicating.
Informed Decision-making
The most tangible benefit of adequate and appropriate public consultation is that it will help to produce better decisions. Informed decisions are more likely to avoid constant review and revision. Projects that are understood and accepted by the community are less likely to face pressure for their revision or removal. Good consultation can produce better, sustainable decisions. Getting it right first time can save time and money.
Good Consultation Practice
The principles of consultation (taken from the Local Government Act 2002) include that the Council will seek information on an issue or proposal that has not yet been decided on, encourage those with an interest in the issue or proposal to present their views, consult with an open mind and listen to what people have to say. In order to ensure a consistent approach to consultation across the Council, the Council is currently developing a Consultation Policy. The community will have an opportunity to comment on the policy before it is adopted.