FAQs | Woollahra Community Strategic Plan 2030

Why do we need to have a Community Strategic Plan?

All NSW Councils are required to have a 10 year Community Strategic Plan (CSP) under the Local Government Act 1993 for Integrated Planning and Reporting.

Further information on the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework is available on the Office of Local Government website.

top of page

What is a Community Strategic Plan?

A Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is a long term strategic plan that all councils must develop on behalf of their communities.

It is a shared vision of what the Woollahra community values and aspires to be by 2030 and represents the highest level of strategic planning undertaken by Council.

A CSP is required to cover a minimum of 10 years and addresses four key questions for the community:

Where are we now?
Where do we want to be in 10 years time?
How will we get there?
How will we know when we have arrived?

The CSP is required to address social justice principles and the "quadruple bottom line" addressing; Social, Environmental, Economic, and Civic Leadership considerations. The CSP is used to guide and inform priorities in Council's three year Delivery Program 2019-2021, and the annual Operational Plan 2019-2020. The Delivery Plan and Operational Plan detail the specific actions Council will take to achieve the strategies and objectives of the CSP.

top of page

Who has been consulted on the Community Strategic Plan?

Council has consulted with over 1,000 community members and a number of community groups.

Council continues to consult through the online Community Satisfaction Survey which will remain open until Monday 30 April 2018.

Many other targeted consultations have taken place and are planned which will be supported by broader community engagement activities such as pop-up stalls at our Library and other events.

Community members are encouraged to register their interest in being part of the development of the CSP - Our Woollahra 2030.

top of page

How are we setting our Community Strategic Vision?

Woollahra Council adopted the current vision in 2009.

Since then Council has continued to update the CSP; with the current CSP being Woollahra 2025 - Our community, our place, our plan.

During the last ten years, this vision has helped to shape Council's decision making and to develop the 4 year Delivery Plan and annual Operational Plans.

It is now time to comprehensively review our community vision and the goals. This involves working with the community to establish a shared vision that reflects the values and aspirations of our community for the future.

top of page

When will Our Woollahra 2030 Community Strategic Plan be adopted?

Council is required to adopt the Community Strategic Plan by 30 June 2018.

top of page

What is the process for developing the Community Strategic Plan?

Stage 1: Review of past performance

In planning the future, Council reviews past performance and the current progress towards community aspirations in order to understand the effectiveness of goals and strategies. Planning is an ongoing and iterative process, and whilst the CSP is set for a minimum of 10 years. During this time there are many external and internal factors which drive change in the service delivery of Council. For example, there are legislative changes and changes in community expectations which can occur over time.

Stage 2: Community Surveys of Community Satisfaction with Council's Services and Community Capacity Study

Council regularly monitors performance as measured by a Council Community Satisfaction Survey which is a measure of how well Council is meeting the community's expectations.

Additionally, Council reviews the Community Capacity Study, which is a measure of the connectedness and well being of our community.

Stage 3: Review of State Government Plans and other plans of Council

It is a requirement of the NSW Local Government Act 1993 to link Council's plans to State Government priorities and plans, and to align Council's internal planning framework.

Stage 4: Analysing and reporting findings

Analysis of relevant information including: Survey Results, past performance, identified areas of community interest and concern, studies, other Council plans and studies, State Government Plans & Priorities, ABS statistics and projections.

Stage 5: Informing the CSP Framework – Setting the Community's goals and strategies to 2030 (March to April 2018

This stage focuses on reviewing the community engagement that has previously occurred and current / ongoing engagement with the community. From this the themes, risks, challenges and opportunities are analysed and refined to identify where more community input is required to establish the new framework which will guide Council's decision making over the coming 10 years and beyond.

Stage 6: Drafting Our CSP (April to May 2018)

Council views community engagement as an ongoing process and acknowledges that there are many contributors who have worked with Council over a number of years to provide ideas and visions for Woollahra's future. Council's CSP will be drafted on the basis of the community engagement, consultation and feedback provided by the community and Council.

Stage 7: Reporting to the Community for adoption

The final stage is to report the draft Community Strategic Plan to our community. The plan will be on public exhibition for 28 days, inviting community feedback.

From this, the submissions received are reported back to Council and considered in the adoption of the CSP by Council.

top of page