Council adopts Community Engagement Policy
The City of Port Lincoln has adopted its Community Engagement Policy, setting out how Council will inform, consult and engage with the community on its decisions, activities and processes, supporting informed decision making and providing clear guidance on when and how Council will seek community feedback.
The policy was endorsed at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Monday, 15 June 2026, following a period of public consultation.
The policy responds to recent changes to the Local Government Act 1999, including the introduction of the Community Engagement Charter, which sets minimum mandatory requirements for how councils across South Australia engage with their communities. The policy provides a clear framework for community engagement, including defined categories of engagement based on the scale and impact of decisions, minimum requirements for consultation, and a commitment to providing reasonable, timely and meaningful opportunities for community participation.
It also supports a more flexible approach to consultation timeframes, ensuring the level of engagement reflects the nature, scale and community interest of each decision.
Mayor Diana Mislov said, “The updated policy continues to reflect Council’s commitment to ensuring the community has clear, accessible and meaningful opportunities to be involved in decision‑making. Community feedback plays an important role in shaping Council decisions. This updated policy outlines how we engage with our community and ensures we are meeting new legislative requirements while continuing to improve how we communicate and consult.”
As part of the review, Council invited the community to provide feedback through a survey and written submissions. The consultation helped Council better understand how people prefer to receive information, how they would like to provide feedback, and what barriers may impact participation.
Insights from the consultation will be reviewed to better understand how community engagement and opportunities for participation can be improved, helping to strengthen the planning and delivery of future consultation and engagement activities.
The Community Engagement Policy 2.63.1 will guide how Council engages with the community on decisions, projects and activities into the future.
The policy is available on Council’s website at www.portlincoln.sa.gov.au/documents/policies.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
City of Port Lincoln Chief Executive Officer Eric Brown
Ph: 8621 2325 | Email: plcc@plcc.sa.gov.au