Join us to shape the future of Ipswich
Ipswich City Council is looking for people from all walks of life to share their thoughts on topics that matter to them. When people come together to share their views and experiences, better decisions are made.
One way council engages with the community will be through community panels. These panels will cover a broad range of topics where community can speak up to shape the future of Ipswich.
Community panels will launch in February 2022. You will be able to join a community panel then by applying online here, at Shape Your Ipswich.
Who can be on a panel?
You don't need to have any special knowledge about Council to join, just an interest in sharing your views and being a voice for your community.
Anyone aged over 16 and who lives, works, studies, owns a business in Ipswich or is an Ipswich rate payer is invited to register.
We want the panels to be a forum that reflects the diversity of Ipswich. People from all walks of life and backgrounds are encouraged to register.
Please note, elected representatives from any level of government, paid employees of any political party and Ipswich City Council employees cannot join. This is about you, the community.
What will the panels talk about?
Panels will talk about a range of topics that of are interest to the community. Council engages with the community on various projects and the panels will be one way to talk with you about individual items and key projects that are part of Council's corporate plan, iFuture.
Members will be able to select their categories of interest to discuss the issues that are important to them.
How will Community Panels work?
You will be able to register for a community panel here, at Shape Your Ipswich, when the panels launch in February 2022. You will be asked to provide some personal information.
Members will be invited to join a panel on strategic topics as and when needed, based on the quarterly community engagement calendar. Panels will not have regular meetings but will convene on an "as needed" basis.
Engagement activities will be varied and be offered both online and face-to-face. This could include activities like webinars, surveys, focus groups, online polls, deliberative processes, workshops or interviews.
At times, Council may randomly select individuals to participate in forums where numbers are limited. Where possible, we will aim to select a group of people who represent the diversity of the Ipswich community.
You can be involved as much or as little as you would like and all participation is voluntary.
Topics discussed through panels may include (but are not limited to):
- Animals
- Arts, Culture and Heritage
- Business and Economy
- City Design and Planning
- Community
- Disaster Management
- Environment, Sustainability & Climate Change
- Governance
- Health and wellbeing
- Indigenous
- Parks and recreation
- Sport
- Transport and movement
- Tourism
- Resource Recovery
Council will provide regular updates to members and the wider community on projects. You can also "follow" certain projects on Shape Your Ipswich to stay up to date. Click on the "Follow" button in the heading on the specific project page.
We encourage community to be open and honest when you attend an engagement event.
Whilst discussing problems is important, the focus of the panels will be to create collective solutions to projects and topics that will shape the future of Ipswich.
Members are encouraged to represent the wider views of their community rather than personal issues.
Members can opt out of the panel at any time by contacting the community engagement team at council via email, communityengagement@ipswich.qld.gov.au.
Why should I get involved?
As a member of the Community Panel, you'll have the opportunity to provide your local knowledge and contribute to a number of important decisions. Our elected representatives will consider your feedback when making final decisions.
You'll work with others to learn more about your local community and how council will work with you to make Ipswich the best it can be.
You can opt out of the Community Panel at any time.
Please note, there will still be opportunities for community members not registered for community panels to participate in other engagement opportunities.
What support does council provide for members?
Support will be provided to make sure all members of the Community Panel can participate. If you need information in another language, vision aids or any other support we will work with you to provide this. Please contact us via email, communityengagement@ipswich.qld.gov.au or phone, (07) 3810 6666 to discuss your specific requirements.
