Weipa Town Authority Chair Jaime Gane says it is hoped the new monthly Open Door Day concept will provide another method to effect “meaningful engagement” with the Weipa community. Photo: Supplied.
It can be easy for individual voices to be lost in the roar of the crowd, but Weipa Town Authority (WTA) is hoping a novel new approach to community engagement will allow people to have their say in a more intimate environment.
The organisation held its first Open Door Day on 2 May, and Chair Jaime Gane said the concept was aimed at developing “meaningful community engagement” and ensuring accessibility, transparency and collaboration between WTA and residents of the township.
“Whether you have burning questions, suggestions for improvement, or simply wish to learn more about the efforts being made on your behalf, the Open Door Days are your chance for a one-on-one discussion,” Ms Gane said.
The Open Door Day strategy will allow stakeholders to sit down with Ms Gane and have their questions answered and suggestions listened to face to face.
The new chair said she expected the monthly sessions would add to the conventional engagement WTA was already undertaking.
“I just thought it would be good to try something new, and give the community a different opportunity to engage,” Ms Gane explained.
“We do already do quite a bit of formal community engagement at things like the community markets and events, but at the same time, that engagement with individuals is usually quite brief and can easily be interrupted, so I thought this would give people the chance to have a proper conversation and really be heard.”
Ms Gane said the Open Door Days would continue as long as there was community interest and take-up, adding there was scope for the other elected members to participate.
“The plan is to have them once a month if the community think it is of value, and people actually take up the opportunity,” she said.
“We have received really positive feedback so far, so I think it will be a good thing.
“The other elected members are very supportive of the concept, but it will just be me for at least the first couple, until we get some feedback from participants and see how they go.”
For more information about the next Open Door Day, keep an eye on the WTA Facebook page or call 4030 9400.
