Meaningful community consultation needed

STRATHBOGIE Shire Council is calling for the design of the Euroa Railway Precinct to be decided by those most affected – the community. In his letter to Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) CEO Mark Campbell, mayor Cr Chris Raeburn said the Euroa community did not feel it had been part of the decision-making. “The Euroa community is loud and passionate,” Cr Raeburn said. “When it comes to the Euroa Railway Precinct it believes – and we agree – that the community must be involved in the solution. “As a council we cannot ignore our community’s concerns.” The Council is seeking a deliberate engagement process that will allow the Euroa community to reach a group decision on the future design of the Euroa railway precinct. “It will ensure our community is involved in a meaningful way,” he said. Cr Raeburn urged the ARTC to give the community the authority to decide. “As a council we know the thought of deliberative engagement is daunting. “To promise to implement what the community decides, or to incorporate the community’s advice and recommendations to the maximum extent possible, can feel difficult or risky. “We believe people make good decisions when they are given the time, information and authority to decide.” Council also acknowledged it was asking the ARTC to take a step back in the process, which has already identified an overpass as the preferred solution. “However, our community has been clear about the need to again explore the design options,” Cr Raeburn said. “More than this, we believe our community has the right to be involved in decisions that affect them.” In his letter, Cr Raeburn wrote that the future design of the Anderson Street Bridge, the Euroa Railway Precinct and the movement of vehicles (rail and road) will have a significant impact on the Euroa township’s future. “Our vision for Euroa is a united community. One that is not divided by a railway line,” he said. “We believe best practice engagement can ally Council and our community’s fears.” The letter also outlines that the community "has been clear about the need to again explore the design options and that they have "the right to be involved in decisions that affect them." To read council’s letter in full visit www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au