The Local Government Act 2009 requires that all local governments in Queensland prepare a long-term community plan.

Each council’s plan will outline the council’s goals, strategies and policies for what the community wants the area to be like in 10, 20 or more years. Responsibility for achieving the aspirations contained in the community plan rests with all levels of government, the broader community and individuals living in the area.

Developing a community plan

To develop the plan, local governments follow a number of steps including:

• agreeing on the role and scope of the community plan
• developing the approach to community planning to be used by the local government
• gathering background information to inform the community engagement process
• engaging with the community and gathering perspectives and ideas
• developing a vision for the local government area based on the engagement process
• considering the roles and responsibilities of the Commonwealth and state governments, community groups and partnerships in delivering on the community plan
• developing a draft community plan
• engaging with the community on the draft community plan and seeking feedback
• considering the potential impact of the plan on the local government management plans and forward financial forecasts
• adopting the community plan by the council and implementing the plan via the corporate planning process.

A community plan is the community’s expression of its needs, expectations and priorities for the future.

Consideration of other long-term plans for the area developed by council or regional plans developed by the state government is part of the community planning process.

The community plan, developed in accordance with a comprehensive community engagement process, will provide the basis and context for the local government’s:

• input to the regional planning process
• strategic land use planning and priority infrastructure planning in accordance with the Sustainable Planning Act 2009
• corporate plan
• long-term financial plan and sustainability strategy.

More information about the role of councillors in the community planning process is available at Councillor roles in community planning.

Implementing the community plan

Once the community plan is developed a local government’s response is articulated through the corporate plan.

The corporate plan is used by the local government to outline its strategic directions and actions for a five-year period within the framework of the community plan. It provides the context for monitoring the local government’s performance in achieving its objectives.

The corporate plan outlines the local government’s strategies, activities and associated roles and responsibilities connected with the achievement of the aspirations and vision of the community plan. The objectives, strategies and actions outlined in the corporate plan must be consistent with the vision of the community plan.

The corporate plan may, at the local government’s discretion, include the acceptance of responsibilities by the local government that are broader than its prescribed responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2009. It may also include the assignment of responsibilities to organisations or individuals in addition to the local government, with the agreement of those organisations or individuals.

The local government is responsible for the development and adoption of the corporate plan, which is by formal resolution of the local government.

The local government must also integrate the community planning process with the internal policy and planning processes.

Getting involved in community planning

Community engagement, as a process, can occur at all phases of the development of the community plan. For example a local government may need to inform, consult and involve a range of stakeholders at the intelligence gathering, community input, community visioning and validation phases.

To have your say about the future of your community area, get in touch with your local council.

Community planning resources are available for local governments to use.