Deliberative engagement brings together a group of people who reflect the make-up of our Yarra Ranges community. The group members will be diverse in age, gender, race, language, income, education or other criteria. This group is called a panel.

The panel process allows time for participants to take in the relevant information, ask questions, consider and debate some of the more difficult decisions Council is facing.

We are looking for people who live in Yarra Ranges, aged 16 or older and can commit to attending sessions on a Saturday.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) will ask for personal information, to make sure that we have representation in the room that reflects the people in our community.

By completing the EOI, you are providing Deliberately Engaging Pty Ltd with personal information about yourself. All personal information collected is handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. By completing this registration form, you authorise Deliberatively Engaging to provide Yarra Ranges Council with certain personal information, including your name, contact details and any information necessary, including special needs you may have, to support your participation.

https://www.deliberatelyengaging.com.au/privacy-policy-2/

If you require support to attend and/or participate, please indicate on the EOI and one of our team will reach out to discuss accommodations.

To make sure the process is not biased, Council have engaged a neutral third-party (Deliberately Engaging) to manage the recruitment and selection of the panel, based on demographic data.

By completing the EOI, you are providing Deliberately Engaging Pty Ltd with personal information about yourself. All personal information collected is handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. By completing this registration form, you authorise Deliberatively Engaging to provide Yarra Ranges Council with certain personal information, including your name, contact details and any information necessary, including special needs you may have, to support your participation.

https://www.deliberatelyengaging.com.au/privacy-policy-2/

By joining the panel you will:

- Work with other residents to develop recommendations for Council on complex issues that must be resolved to achieve the Community Vision.

- Help Council plan for Yarra Ranges now and into the future, beyond the four-year planning cycle.

- Learn more about local government.

- Receive a payment of $400, in recognition of your commitment and the importance of this work. You must be able to attend ALL four meetings to receive this compensation.

We do require you to be able to attend four days of panel activities.

The first day will be a meet and greet session, getting to know the group and facilitators. You will receive more background to understand the process and information to help with deliberations in the full-day sessions.

There will be three panel workshop days, all on Saturdays between July - August.

The dates and venues for the sessions will be confirmed in the coming weeks, but please register your interest now.

The panel will be made up of around 30 people from across the Yarra Ranges Council area, representing different age groups, backgrounds and life experiences of our residents. The panel will work together to provide input and recommendations to Council, for consideration in the development of the Council, Asset and Financial plans.

The panel will:

• Be provided with a broad range of information.
• Hear from subject matter experts and have the chance to ask questions.
• Discuss the issues, challenges, and opportunities in-depth in both small and large groups.
• Consider the community feedback from the broad engagement about what's important to the Yarra Ranges community.

External facilitators will support all members to share their viewpoints and work together respectfully.

We will provide you with some reading before each session, and make sure you have the information and support you may need to participate.

Over the three full days, the panel will work through some of the more complex challenges facing the Council and the community to support achieving the Community Vision.

The 'tricky' questions to be debated will be informed by the broad engagement activities taking place between March-May.

To support the panel's discussion, debates and informed recommendations, the following will be provided:

- A neutral facilitator engaged by Council to lead the discussions and facilitate open sharing and learning between all participants.

- Data from earlier engagements, Council services and other relevant sources

- Technical experts, from within Council and other relevant industries, if required, to respond to questions and provide evidence.

We will carefully review and consider the panel recommendations and provide feedback on where they have and haven't been included in the Draft Council Plan in 2025.

We will keep the community informed about the panel process throughout.