Draft Community Engagement Strategy 2026-2030

Two people speaking at an in-person community consultation with a sign on the table that encourages sharing feedback.

Help shape how Council engages with our community

We’re reviewing our Community Engagement Strategy - the document that guides how Council listens to, involves and works with our community when there's an opportunity or legislative requirement for community input.

We'd love to hear your experiences and feedback on whether the updated Draft Community Engagement Strategy 2026–2030 is easy to understand, inclusive and reflects what good engagement looks like in practice.


This is your chance to share what's worked well for you, what could be improved and help shape a final Strategy that is clear, inclusive and supports meaningful engagement for all.


What is 'community engagement' in a council context?

Community engagement is how we involve our community in shaping the plans, projects and policies of Council that affect them, where there is an opportunity or legislative requirement for community input.

Not every decision can involve engagement. In some cases, legal, safety, operational or confidentiality requirements apply, or decisions are made by Councillors under their delegated roles. Where we can engage, this Strategy aims to ensure the process is clear, meaningful and proportionate, so people understand what they are being asked about, how their feedback will be considered, and what can and can’t be influenced.

Key changes in this Draft Strategy

In this updated draft, we've:

  • reflected legislative and policy changes - including the proposed changes by the State Government on the Community Participation Plan (CPP). See also the State Government's CPP exhibition page and further information in the FAQ folder titled "Changes in this draft" in the right-hand column of this page ➡️
  • strengthened plain‑English explanations
  • explained more clearly how people can get involved
  • reinforced inclusion, accessibility and lived experience
  • clarified how feedback influences decisions.
Ways to share your feedback

You can take part in whichever way works best for you from the options below:

📝 Complete the survey (5-10mins)

💬 Share your story

We’re seeking real‑life examples to help refine our Draft Strategy. Hearing about engagement experiences that felt meaningful or effective helps us sense‑check if the Strategy reflects what good engagement looks like in practice for the community.

Stories shared through the online tool are moderated in-line with this platform's Forum Etiquette & Moderation Policy. Once reviewed, stories may be published on this page. If you’d prefer to share a story privately, you can email us at engagement@ssc.nsw.gov.au.

✉️ Send us written feedback

  • by email to engagement@ssc.nsw.gov.au
  • by mail addressed to the Community Engagement Team, Sutherland Shire Council, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland 1499

👋 Talk with us in person

We'll be available to chat at the following times - just look out for our Have your Say banners and friendly team:

  • Saturday 2 May: 8am – 1pm, Shire Farmers Market, Flora Street carpark, Sutherland
  • Monday 4 May: 10am – 12.30pm – Menai Marketplace, Allison Crescent, Menai
  • Friday 8 May: 3pm to 4.30pm – Cronulla Library, 38-60 Croydon St, Cronulla
  • Wednesday 13 May: 3pm – 4.30pm, Council Administration Building customer area, 4-20 Eton Street, Sutherland
  • Wednesday 20 May: Kirrawee Library +: 11am to 12.30pm, 6 Kiln Road, Kirrawee
  • Friday 22 May: 9am - 10.30pm, Council Administration Building customer area, 4-20 Eton Street, Sutherland
  • Monday 25 May: 10am - 11.30am, Engadine Library, 116E Caldarra Ave, Engadine

If you need information in a different format, or would like to share your feedback another way, we're happy to help.


Next steps

  • review the Draft Strategy
  • complete the survey below
  • share your story of great engagement below.


Help shape how Council engages with our community

We’re reviewing our Community Engagement Strategy - the document that guides how Council listens to, involves and works with our community when there's an opportunity or legislative requirement for community input.

We'd love to hear your experiences and feedback on whether the updated Draft Community Engagement Strategy 2026–2030 is easy to understand, inclusive and reflects what good engagement looks like in practice.


This is your chance to share what's worked well for you, what could be improved and help shape a final Strategy that is clear, inclusive and supports meaningful engagement for all.


What is 'community engagement' in a council context?

Community engagement is how we involve our community in shaping the plans, projects and policies of Council that affect them, where there is an opportunity or legislative requirement for community input.

Not every decision can involve engagement. In some cases, legal, safety, operational or confidentiality requirements apply, or decisions are made by Councillors under their delegated roles. Where we can engage, this Strategy aims to ensure the process is clear, meaningful and proportionate, so people understand what they are being asked about, how their feedback will be considered, and what can and can’t be influenced.

Key changes in this Draft Strategy

In this updated draft, we've:

  • reflected legislative and policy changes - including the proposed changes by the State Government on the Community Participation Plan (CPP). See also the State Government's CPP exhibition page and further information in the FAQ folder titled "Changes in this draft" in the right-hand column of this page ➡️
  • strengthened plain‑English explanations
  • explained more clearly how people can get involved
  • reinforced inclusion, accessibility and lived experience
  • clarified how feedback influences decisions.
Ways to share your feedback

You can take part in whichever way works best for you from the options below:

📝 Complete the survey (5-10mins)

💬 Share your story

We’re seeking real‑life examples to help refine our Draft Strategy. Hearing about engagement experiences that felt meaningful or effective helps us sense‑check if the Strategy reflects what good engagement looks like in practice for the community.

Stories shared through the online tool are moderated in-line with this platform's Forum Etiquette & Moderation Policy. Once reviewed, stories may be published on this page. If you’d prefer to share a story privately, you can email us at engagement@ssc.nsw.gov.au.

✉️ Send us written feedback

  • by email to engagement@ssc.nsw.gov.au
  • by mail addressed to the Community Engagement Team, Sutherland Shire Council, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland 1499

👋 Talk with us in person

We'll be available to chat at the following times - just look out for our Have your Say banners and friendly team:

  • Saturday 2 May: 8am – 1pm, Shire Farmers Market, Flora Street carpark, Sutherland
  • Monday 4 May: 10am – 12.30pm – Menai Marketplace, Allison Crescent, Menai
  • Friday 8 May: 3pm to 4.30pm – Cronulla Library, 38-60 Croydon St, Cronulla
  • Wednesday 13 May: 3pm – 4.30pm, Council Administration Building customer area, 4-20 Eton Street, Sutherland
  • Wednesday 20 May: Kirrawee Library +: 11am to 12.30pm, 6 Kiln Road, Kirrawee
  • Friday 22 May: 9am - 10.30pm, Council Administration Building customer area, 4-20 Eton Street, Sutherland
  • Monday 25 May: 10am - 11.30am, Engadine Library, 116E Caldarra Ave, Engadine

If you need information in a different format, or would like to share your feedback another way, we're happy to help.


Next steps

  • review the Draft Strategy
  • complete the survey below
  • share your story of great engagement below.


Share your story

Here, we would love for you to share a story about a time when community engagement worked well for you - either with Council or anywhere else.

We’d love to learn about what made the experience meaningful, what helped you feel listened to, and/or what could have been clearer or done better. 

Your story can help us understand what meaningful engagement looks like in practice, and what makes a real difference for people in our community.

Five people sitting around a table with one raising their hand


Thank you for sharing your story with us. We really appreciate your time to provide your insights and perspective to help inform Council's Draft Community Engagement Strategy 2026-2030.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Story

    by Charlieb222, 4 months ago

    I believe you need to make it easier for people to provide feedback. Even this community consultation, the survey expects people to read a bit document and provide feedback. No one has time for that. A guided questionnaire survey focusing on the key changes or points of discussion is much more accessible for people.
    I also think it works well when council puts up flyers for community feedback directly in the area it’s going to affect. That way people who are less digital but who are in those areas often also have a way to contribute.
    I would also like... Continue reading

    I believe you need to make it easier for people to provide feedback. Even this community consultation, the survey expects people to read a bit document and provide feedback. No one has time for that. A guided questionnaire survey focusing on the key changes or points of discussion is much more accessible for people.
    I also think it works well when council puts up flyers for community feedback directly in the area it’s going to affect. That way people who are less digital but who are in those areas often also have a way to contribute.
    I would also like to be updated better on the results of my feedback. People would be more engaged if they actually thought people were going to take action on their suggestions. But whenever I do these surveys I don’t hear anything else about it and just assume no one really cares or is going to do anything to action my ideas.



Page last updated: 29 Sep 2026, 12:39 PM