Shire of Denmark’s 10-year-plan open for public comment

The Shire of Denmark is seeking community feedback as it finalises a major review of its Strategic Community Plan. A draft SCP, which sets out the local government’s plans for the coming decade, is available for review on the Shire’s website. It details community feedback across three broad community priorities: service delivery, advocacy and partnerships, and organisational management. Within service delivery, the key areas are the maintenance of local roads and stormwater drainage, youth services and facilities, and environmental conservation. Under advocacy and partnerships, the community wants the Shire to develop funding and infrastructure for economic development, including less red tape and greater support for business ideas, as well as addressing housing availability, including reducing the impact of short-term accommodation. At the organisational level, the community wants to feel heard through engaged decision-making processes. These priorities have shaped the Shire’s vision for 2033 as “a vibrant coastal community, connected to the environment, living the village lifestyle” that is committed to “protect what makes us special, improve our quality of life and plan for future generations”. By 2028, the Shire plans to achieve its CBD revitalisation, reconciliation action plan, a significant tree list and preservation policy, and a youth strategy. The draft SCP also stipulates the Shire will have reviewed all of its existing strategies by 2033. SCP working group chair Cr Kingsley Gibson said community input at the final stage of developing the plan was “vitally important”. “We’re pleased to be able to present what we think is a concise, clear picture of our community vision, aspirations and objectives in this draft Strategic Community Plan,” he said. “Throughout the engagement process so far, we have received more than 1700 community responses which is a testament to how invested our community is in our collective future.” “This final stage of the engagement process is about checking in and confirming from our community that we’ve heard and understood the key issues and aspirations received in the feedback, and that we’ve prioritised those concerns and ideas in line with community expectations.” Public comment on the plan can be provided before 4pm on Monday June 19 via the Shire’s website, emailed to enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au or as a hard copy. Councillors will use the feedback to shape the final SCP, which is expected to be considered at a special council meeting later this month.