Interested in providing input, advice and support on the implementation of the project during its early stages?

Find out more about what’s involved in being a member of the Community Reference Group in the Terms of Reference and complete the application form if you’re interested in taking part.

Purpose

The Community Reference Group (The Group) will provide reference and representation of the communities of Marysville, Buxton, Taggerty and Alexandra in the initial phase of the project.

Objectives

• Provide community-based input and advice to support the implementation of the project

• Support the project manager to make connection with potential project participants

• Act as advocates for the project to increase community awareness and participation

• Assist in identifying people to be part of innovation working groups in the latter stages of the initial phase of the project

Governance

The Group provides input and advice to the Project Manager who will chair group meetings. The Project Manager is responsible for delivery of the day-to-day activities of the project and reports to the Project Control Group, which is made up of representatives from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (project funder) and Council (project partner).

Membership

Membership to the Group will be determined through an expression of interest process open to interested parties. Members must meet the eligibility requirements and complete the expression of interest form.

The Project Manager will call for expression of interest submissions from members of the community. The call for expression of interest will be advertised in local media and online.

Expressions of interest will be assessed against the following selection criteria:

• Demonstrated experience in community involvement

• The ability to provide insight into potential stakeholders and networks within the community

Submissions will be assessed against the selection criteria and with consideration to creating an equitable cross section of community members with different backgrounds and skills.

To be eligible, applicants must reside or have a business or other interest in the communities or surrounds of Marysville, Buxton, Taggerty and Alexandra.

It is intended that the Group be made up of a cross section of community members, with a range of interest and expertise. It is envisaged that at least one representative from each community will make up the Group.

Member responsibilities

In order to fulfil the group objectives, members of the Group are expected to:

• be committed to, and actively involved in, supporting the project’s objectives

• consider the interests and position of their respective community and the wider Shire when providing comment and feedback

• have a genuine interest in the outcomes being pursued by the project

• act as advocates for the project and the project’s positive outcomes within the community

• provide insights in areas of expertise or interest relevant to the project objectives

• commit to attending as many Group meetings as possible adhere to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010

• Refrain from discriminating, harassing or bullying other people and using offensive language in their capacity as a member of the Group

• adhere to the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2010, ensuring that you follow safe work practices in participating in the Group

• declare any conflicts of interest as appropriate during the project

Meetings

The Group will meet fortnightly between late January 2022 until May 2023 at which time the role of the Group and frequency of meetings will be reviewed. A total of 8 meetings are anticipated to be held, with each meeting lasting approximately 1.5 hours.

Meetings will be held outside of office hours on weekdays and venues will be determined by the chair. Meeting venues may be a physical location in one of the project townships or virtual, via Zoom.

Members of the Group will not be able to nominate a proxy to attend a meeting if the member is unable to attend. In this event, members can provide verbal or written feedback directly to the Project Manager.

Reporting procedure

The group is not a formal committee but rather a group established to assist with the collection and sharing of information and ideas to support the delivery of the project.

Where decision making may be required, the Group will adopt a consensus approach. Where a consensus cannot be reached the chair will seek further advice from external subject matter experts to support any decision making to reach an outcome.

The chair may escalate any matters of significance to the Project Control Group for advice or decision.

Administration

The Project Manager will provide services for all administration associated with the Group’s activities, including meeting scheduling, booking of meeting spaces or arrangement of online meeting links, agendas, minutes and relevant supporting documentation.

The agenda, with any required supporting documents, will be distributed at least three working days before the next scheduled meeting.