The ACT Chief Minister’s Department engaged Elton Consulting in 2010 to advise on how best to engage the Canberra community in a conversation about planning for future growth and change. With a growth scenario of 80,000 more people by 2030, the challenge is to maintain and improve Canberra’s lifestyle, while becoming a more sustainable city. Working together with the Chief Minister’s Department, Elton designed and delivered a broad and deep process of consultation known as ‘Time to talk Canberra 2030′.
Using a whole range of techniques of talking with the community and inviting people to give their views, the consultation was effective in reaching a broad cross section of the community totalling more than 30,000 people. Elton used social media, online forums, a series of structured workshops, public meetings, surveys and web discussion supported by discussion papers. All this was supported by TV advertising calling for people to get involved. Market research was also used to provide quantitative support for the qualitative information gathering. Community education was delivered as part of the consultation process and the result was deep connection and input on the issues.
Detailed analysis by the ACT Government and ‘Time To talk’ consultation has led to the six key findings in the final Time to talk Outcomes Report becoming objectives in the new ACT Planning Strategy. The report was written by Jane Jose, Associate, Elton Consulting.
More detail is available in the ‘Time to Talk: Canberra 2030 A Healthy City’ presentation and paper.