Community engagement in Australian local governments

A Closer Look and Strategic Implications

Bibliographic Data

ID6303244
AuthorsHelen E Christensen (0000-0002-7770-1556, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia), Dana Mcquestin (0000-0002-0137-0260, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia)
Year2019
Volume45
Issue4
Pages453-480
Publication date2019-07-04
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueLocal Government Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0300-3930 • E-ISSN: 1743-9388
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03003930.2018.1541794
OpenAlexW2903735593
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited43

Public input into decision-making through participatory and deliberative democratic practices has become a widely accepted and legislated responsibility of Australian local governments. At any one time, councils are leading submission processes, workshops and online surveys on a multitude of projects, ranging from long-term community strategic plans to public art projects. The increase in these practices has been exponential, leaving little time for critical reflection. The lack of empirical data to illustrate how community engagement is understood and practised in different councils has hindered sector-wide reflection. This paper presents the findings of the ‘Local Government Community Engagement Census’, a survey of 175 councils – approximately half – from 4 of Australia’s eastern states. This sectoral snapshot provides a picture of how councils understand, prioritise and practise community engagement, allowing critical reflection, an interpretation of implications and suggesting areas for future research

Citizen journalism · Civic engagement · Community engagement · Critical reflection · Democracy · Local government · Multitude · Political science · Politics · Public engagement · Public policy · Public relations · Sociology · E-Government and Public Services · Law · Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering · Public Administration · Public Policy and Administration Research

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