Community Conversations

Come and have a chat with us. 

We’re heading out across the Shire to connect with our community through a new series of drop-in sessions called Community Conversations.

You might remember these sessions previously as Your Village Matters. While the name has changed, the intent hasn’t - staying connected with our community and hearing directly from you remains just as important.

What are Community Conversations?

By bringing everything under one recognisable banner, Community Conversations makes it easier to know when we’re out in the community and how you can get involved.

These sessions are relaxed and approachable. Drop in, ask questions, share ideas and have your say on important projects. There’ll also be interactive activities for kids and adults, helping us understand what matters most to our community.

Why we're doing this? 

Council makes decisions every day that shape how our region lives, grows and evolves - and it’s important those decisions are informed by the people who call this place home.

While we share updates online and through social media, we know that not everyone engages in the same way. Face-to-face conversations remain one of the most valuable ways for us to connect, listen and understand what matters most to our community.

Community Conversations create a clear and consistent space for open, two-way conversations. 

These sessions will be held twice a year, allowing us to regularly connect with the community, share updates and build on the ideas and feedback we receive over time.

Who can contribute to Community Conversations? 

We want to hear from a broader range of voices across our towns and villages and make it easier for people to be involved.

Whether you’ve lived in the Shire your whole life or have recently moved here, your perspective helps Council make better, more informed decisions.

Whether you can stay for five minutes, an hour, or prefer to provide feedback online — every contribution counts.

What to Expect

Each session is designed to be informal and interactive. 

You can:

• Chat with Council Staff from different teams
• Learn about upcoming projects and provide feedback
• Share ideas for the big picture or areas of improvement
• Take part in activities about improving our Shire (for kids and the big kids)
• Get an insight into how Council and local government works

Projects & Plans on Exhibition

During Community Conversations, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about and provide feedback on a range of Council projects and plans currently on public exhibition. 

These may include: 

• Our Future, Your Way (Long-term community vision project for the region)
• Pesticide Use Policy
• Development Control Plan (DCP) updates
• Gwabegar Flood Study
• Heritage Study
• 2026/2027 Operational Plan (Will be available to review after the May Ordinary Council Meeting)

Where we'll be

Can't Make It? 

You can still get involved! 

• Submit feedback online through our engagement portal
• Visit one of our suggestion boxes that will be floating around the Shire in the coming weeks. 
• Keey an eye on our social media for updates