Your Voice Camden
As no unresolved submissions were received during public exhibition, the 2024-2028 Communications and Community Engagement Strategy has consequently been adopted according to the resolution made at the 12 November 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to working with all our stakeholders to implement the actions of the Strategy.
Our community is at the heart of what we do. Every decision we make and service that we provide is designed to ensure better outcomes for the Camden Local Government Area (LGA) and the people who live, work and play here.
We are one of the fastest growing LGAs in Australia. While this provides much opportunity it also requires careful and thoughtful planning and project delivery.
A priority for Camden Council is to ensure that all residents, ratepayers, workers, service providers and business owners, are provided with adequate opportunities to participate in these critical planning processes while also helping us to design and deliver better services, create welcoming and vibrant places and focus resources to meet the needs of a diverse and evolving community.
The way in which we communicate and engage with you is key: ensuring you are kept informed and involved in decisions that impact or concern you.
We developed a Communications and Community Engagement Strategy in 2022 following comprehensive community consultation. In 2024 we updated the Strategy based on our most recent Community Satisfaction Survey results, sector best practice and feedback received from our community at local events and activities.
You're invited to consider our communications approach and have a say about how we involve the community in our decision-making processes.
Please take a look at the draft Communications and Community Engagement Strategy 2024-2028 and associated report to Council before sharing your thoughts.
Printed copies can also be viewed in person at the:
If you'd like to learn more about our approach, please have a chat with our Community and Stakeholder Engagement Team, by calling 13 22 63, sending an email to engagement@camden.nsw.gov.au or dropping into our marquee at:
All submissions must be received by Tuesday 17 December 2024. Submissions can be made:
We've also got a Consultation and Communication survey open.
Please complete the submission form by Tuesday 17 December 2024.
The Camden local government area (LGA) had an Estimated Resident Population of 119,951 in 2021. At the time of preparing the updated Strategy (September 2024) this estimate has increased to 134,811.
Diversity will create a community with a greater range of views and aspirations, in different age groups and household types, from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
The statistics shown below are from the 2021 Census of Population and Housing undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and estimations by Profile ID. They provide a snapshot of our community right now and remind us to utilise multiple and innovative methods of communication and engagement in order to make sure everyone has the opportunity to shape and feel a valued part of Camden’s future.
To learn more about our community please visit https://profile.id.com.au/camden.
What is ‘community engagement’?
Community engagement is planned, two-way information sharing with the purpose of working with the community and stakeholders to make decisions. Community engagement is often referred to as consultation or public participation.
Why is a Strategy required?
Preparation of a Community Engagement Strategy is a requirement of the Local Government Act 1993 and must be reviewed and updated following a Council election.
How was the Strategy reviewed and updated?
In 2024 we updated the Strategy based on our most recent Community Satisfaction Survey results, sector best practice and feedback received from our community at local events and activities.
An independent review of the 2022 Communications and Community Engagement Strategy was conducted which highlighted the importance of:
Staff and community consultation was then undertaken to check if Council's approach and processes were working.
Upon analysis of the information provided, some improvements were made to the document which is now on public exhibition.
What did the community and staff say?
Community consultation was undertaken at a number of community events including Kids Fun Day, Taste Camden and Unlock Camden, where we recorded how people were obtaining information and would like to participate in decision-making.
Responses confirmed that Council's approach was working and identified some factors to consider when engaging with families, employed and retired people.
Council staff provided feedback focused on process improvement and consistency in practice which are reflected in the Goals and Actions of the draft strategy.
Does Camden Council already have a Community Engagement Strategy?
Council's current Community Engagement Strategy (2022) can be viewed here. We also have a Community Engagement Policy (2019) and Community Participation Plan (2021).
At Camden Council, we are trying to find the best ways to reach community members like you, so we can keep you informed and get your opinions on local projects, issues and initiatives.
With so much information available we know it can be hard to cut through the noise. Whether it be through social media, email, in-person or online, letterbox drops or another medium - we want to know the best way to converse with you.
We also want to know what we can do better.
Please complete our survey.
Whether it be through social media, email, in-person or online, letterbox drops or another medium - we want to know the best way to converse with you.
