Join our 2022 Citizens' Panel

Published on 09 February 2022

Following the success of our first ever Citizens’ Panel last year, which developed our shared Community Vision, Mornington Peninsula Shire is now setting up a new 2022 Citizens’ Panel to help Council make better and more informed decisions.
 
The Panel will discuss and influence a range of issues that impact the community; from how we manage the environment, arts and culture, planning and infrastructure, coastal management, Green Wedge and transport to how we plan our services and programs - such as roads and assets maintenance and community health and wellbeing.
 
One of the main tasks for the Panel will be to let us know how we are going in the delivery of our new Council and Wellbeing Plan, plus some other long-term planning.
 
Council wants to hear what our residents have to say about a range of important and sometimes difficult issues. The decisions Council make affect everyone. The Citizens’ Panel allows us to hear directly from a representative group what people think and feel and to take this into consideration for the planning and delivery of a projects, programs and services.
 
Like last time, the Panel will be randomly selected to ensure it has a broad cross section of people who represent the entire community. We’ve sent out 10,000 invitations to randomly selected households across the Peninsula. People who have received an invitation can register their interest by 6 March to be on the Citizens’ Panel. Of the people who register their interest, we’ll randomly select 45 people to join the Panel. The selection may be weighted to make sure there are people from all across the community.
 
The Panel will be selected in March to participate in eight monthly sessions from March until November. All panel members will receive a $500 voucher to thank them for their time. We will keep the community up to date on how things are going along the way.
 
The Citizens’ Panel will be an annual event, with new members joining each year.
 
For more information or to follow the project:
mornpen.vic.gov.au/citizenspanel

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh
 
 “We are committed to involving the community in our decision making and a Citizens’ Panel is an effective, democratic and equitable way to hear from our residents.
 
“If you are one of the 10,000 households that received an invitation to join the Citizens’ Panel, I encourage you to take up this opportunity and get involved. It is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the future of the Mornington Peninsula and make a difference in your community.
 
“I especially encourage our younger residents who receive an invitation to join the panel. After all, we’re planning for your future!”