Community Engagement Policy Review

We are inviting expressions of interest to join focus group sessions to input on the 2025-26 review of our Community Engagement Policy (endorsed in 2021).

• Do you care about accountability to communities and transparency of council decision making?
• Do you have ideas or feedback around how council engages and builds trust with communities in Manningham?
  
• Would you like to help shape the frameworks that guide our engagement commitments and approaches going forward?

We are looking for a diverse mix of people in Manningham communities including local residents, business owners, workers, community group members and people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Following the current consultation period, the draft revised policy will be available through online public exhibition for any members of the community to provide feedback on.

Complete the focus group expression of interest form.

Expressions of interest close 13 March, 2026.

We also welcome your ideas and reflections through the Have your say section on the Community Engagement Policy Review Your Say Manningham page.

Purpose of the focus group

The focus group sessions will help inform the review and redrafting of the Community Engagement Policy, with the revised version to be published in late 2026. The focus groups will:

• Seek feedback and input on how communities want to engage with council
• Seek input on how communities expect engagement to inform decision making and prioritisation
• Seek input to understand levels of community trust and perceived transparency and opportunities to improve
• Review accessibility of our engagement practices and get input on how to sustain engagement with communities in Manningham who are underrepresented

You do not need any specialist knowledge to be part of the focus group.

Selection process

• To ensure the group achieves a balanced representation, a selection process of expressions of interest will take place based on the selection criteria below
• The final focus group numbers will vary but will be no more than 20 participants total, chosen from across residents, business owners, landowners and community groups (it may be that not everyone who submits an EOI will be selected)
• Successful and unsuccessful people will be notified as soon as possible

Selection criteria

In order to achieve a diverse focus group, the selection will be based on the following criteria:

1. The focus group reflects a mix of connections to the Manningham City Council area
   e.g., residents, workers, business owners, landowners, community group members
2. The focus group reflects a mix of ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities
   This helps to ensure the group is balanced and inclusive.
3. Must be able to attend the focus group session at the proposed time and place.
   The in-person focus group session in central Doncaster will be held on Tuesday 24 March, 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
4. Interest in discussing and giving input on how Manningham Council generally engages with communities, not providing feedback on a specific project, plan or issue.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

• Have a connection to Manningham City Council and want to advise how council can improve engagement with communities
• Be available to attend the focus group session
• Agree to abide by the Code of Conduct (External link) outlined in the Advisory Committee Policy
• Be contactable by phone or email
• Be aged 18+ or be available to attend the focus group session with a parent or legal guardian
• Not be a Manningham Councillor or an immediate family member of one
• Not be a Manningham Council employee or an immediate family member of one

For questions related to focus groups or the Expression of Interest process, please contact us at yoursay@manningham.vic.gov.au.

Focus group details

• More details will be provided to focus group participants
• The in-person focus group session in central Doncaster will be held on Tuesday 24 March, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
• The venue is wheelchair accessible and close to public transport (bus) access

Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct

To participate in the focus group, we require all interested individuals to agree to our Code of Conduct(External link) (outlined in section 2.8 of this document) as part of the Expression of Interest process. These documents outline expectations for respectful engagement, and guidelines to ensure a safe and constructive environment for all participants. By confirming your agreement, you help us maintain a collaborative and inclusive space where every voice is valued.