Wagga Wagga City Council is encouraging the community to have their say on two key draft documents that will guide how Council engages with residents over the next four years.

The draft Community Engagement Strategy (CES) and draft Community Participation Plan (CPP) are now on public exhibition until Tuesday 25 November 2025, and Council is asking residents to read the documents and let us know if they reflect your priorities.

Council’s Chief Operations Officer Scott Gray said the documents are designed to help residents understand how and when Council seeks input from the community, ensuring decisions are informed, transparent and reflective of local needs.

“These plans set out the framework for how we connect with our community over the next 4 years,” Mr Gray said.

“Both documents aim to include community voices in important Council decisions, while informing when and how residents can get involved.

“It’s also vital for us to hear how our community wants to be engaged, which will allow for a more informed and accessible decision-making process moving forward.”

The Community Engagement Strategy (CES) outlines how Council will involve residents in decision-making processes, while the Community Participation Plan (CPP) focuses specifically on participation in planning matters such as development applications and strategic land use planning.

Both documents contain the commitment that Council is making to community engagement, by aligning with international best practice and identifying key stakeholders in the community that should be considered when consultation occurs.

“We are keen to chat in person to give residents the chance to ask questions, share ideas, and help shape the future of their local area,” Mr Gray said.

“At our community engagement activities over the last couple of years, we’ve heard from residents who want greater transparency and better visibility of what’s happening in their neighbourhoods.

“The revised plans aim to support that feedback - they build on our existing practices and reflect where Council has routinely exceeded the minimum legal requirements, particularly when it comes to communications around planning and development.”

In recent years, Wagga Wagga has seen increasing development activity, including proposals for State Significant Developments, State Significant Infrastructure and renewable energy projects such as large-scale solar farms and battery energy storage systems (BESS).

While Council does not assess all of these projects directly, Mr Gray said residents still expect Council to play an active role in keeping the community informed.

“Even when Council isn’t the consent authority, we know our community looks to us to explain what’s happening and advocate for local interests,” he said.

“That’s why these documents also clarify our role in major planning matters, so people know what they can expect from us, and ensure that they will be kept informed.”

Have Your Say on these important documents!

As part of the exhibition period, Council will hold several consultation sessions within the city and surrounding villages, giving residents the opportunity to discuss the draft documents, ask questions, and share their ideas in person.

Dates and locations for the sessions are listed on Council’s Have Your Say Wagga site, where you can also read the documents and submit feedback online.

There is also opportunity for residents to meet with Council’s planning team and discuss the CPP in-person. To arrange a meeting, please contact Council via council@wagga.nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442.

Residents can view the draft documents and make a submission by visiting our Have Your Say Wagga webpage before Tuesday 25 November 2025.