Wingecarribee Environment and Climate Change Strategy Engagement

Goal

Wingecarribee Shire Council set out to develop a new Environment and Climate Change Strategy that will guide investment, resourcing and operations over the next decade. The strategy needed to be in accordance with the rapidly changing environment as well as the community’s overall vision for the Shire. In a region particularly vulnerable to climate change; pressures on agricultural lands; and severely impacted by bushfires, droughts and floods; getting the community and stakeholders on board was critical to the ability to develop and implement a Strategy that creates a platform for positive change. 

Solution 

JOC Consulting delivered a multi-faceted engagement program that explored important topics and tapped into the wealth of local knowledge to lay the foundation for a locally focussed, community driven strategy. We engaged with a broad range of stakeholders to gain an in-depth understanding of the diverse barriers and opportunities that will affect environmental and sustainability planning into the future. Combining collaborative face to face and online delivery methods, the engagement yielded excellent (quantitative) data outputs as well as a deep understanding of the issues and interrelations facing the Wingecarribee LGA. 

The highlight event was the Youth Workshop where creative problem solvers came together to develop their vision for Wingecarribee 2031: a carbon positive, zero waste and socially equitable new green economy. 

Outcome

The engagement and rich data output delivered valuable insights not only for the Environment and Climate Change Strategy itself, but also for other Council departments who are seeking to effectuate real change and integrate environmental directions into mainstream planning and sustainability education. The engagement also enhanced Council’s relationship with their diverse communities and helped build trust and goodwill.

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