DATE:15 August 1997
LOCATION: Caloundra, Queensland
FACILITATOR: John Haydon
OUTCOMES:
ADR assisted Caloundra City Council
Planning Summit
___________________________________________
Situation: In 1997 Caloundra City Council decided to have a planning summit to air the views of local stakeholders on the current planning scheme and its ability to meet the needs of the community. They saw the planning summit as an important process in directing Caloundra City's future planning focus.
The outcomes of the Summit were to be considered in Council's corporate and operational planning processes and play an important part in forming the direction for planning over the coming years. This included the Strategic Plan.
The summit intended to provide a forum in which stakeholder groups provided input in the future planning of the city and specific input regarding the recently Gazetted Planning Scheme.
The Summit aimed to examine:
Is there a Shared Vision for Caloundra?
What are the essential elements for the future?
Does the Group have common goals?
John Haydon was engaged as a professional facilitator to ensure that all issues were dealt with objectively between the stakeholders. Lestar Manning assisted John.
Stakeholders involved in the Summit were: Caloundra City Council - the summit was a listening exercise for the Councillors (including Mayor Des Dwyer) and the staff (a total of 29 Councillors and staff attended the Summit).
65 community members attended the Summit including representatives from Industry, Commerce, Development, Environment groups, community groups and the rural community. For eg. representatives from the Sunshine Coast Economic Development Board, Sunshine Coast Environmental Council and the Combined Citizens of Caloundra City Association.
Outcomes: John Haydon facilitated the all day Summit. Each stakeholder present was given a chance to express their viewpoint and discuss the issues. Having a total of 29 Councillors and council staff there in a listening role really let the participants see that their views were being heard. There was a 95% participation in the Summit by the community members who attended.
At the end of the day, a comprehensive set of issues had been established for the Council to review. Post summit a summary of issues raised and recommended actions was prepared by the Council staff.
"The outcomes of the Summit have been analysed and considered by Council and a number of significant issues are currently being addressed. We will shortly be holding a further meeting of the participants to report on progress and will take the opportunity to also obtain input to our Corporate Planning process.
The success of the day was largely a result of your facilitation of proceeding and the rapport you established with participants. Your input was greatly appreciated."
Dr Robin King Cullen, (the then) Manager Planning Services, Caloundra City Council
Background: Caloundra City Council wanted to encourage community comment and public debate on major planning issues affecting Caloundra City at an Inaugural Planning Summit.
Invitees were requested to complete a short survey to determine the issues and final format for the day. This was to maximise participation and give everyone an opportunity to be heard.
Method Used: The method of ADR used for the Summit was Facilitation.
Facilitation and the role of the Facilitator are defined and included in Sourcebook: Federal Agency Use of Alternative Means of Dispute Resolution, 1987:-
Facilitation is a collaborative process used to help a group of individuals or parties with divergent views reach a goal or complete a task to the mutual satisfaction of the participants. The facilitator functions as a neutral process expert and avoids making substantive contributions. The facilitator's task is to help bring the parties to consensus on a number of complex issues.
HOME
