Community engagement project hub relaunched

Published: 03 Sep 2020

Stay informed, share your ideas, shape our future at council’s new-look community project hub Connecting Mackay.

The connectingmackay.com.au website has been in operation for 10 years but council is relaunching the project hub after a recent revamp.

The upgrade has provided a fresh look, including a new Connecting Mackay logo, and makes better use of the portal’s functionality.

The site is being promoted during the month of September, including through a competition.

A Connecting Mackay online panel of interested residents is also being set up.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council placed high importance on community engagement to help guide its decisions and service delivery.

“Connecting Mackay, as our project hub, is an excellent way for the community to get involved and stay up-to-date on council projects, initiatives and activities,’’ he said.

Mayor Williamson said the COVID-19 pandemic had helped shape changes to the Connecting Mackay website.

“In response to the pandemic, we expanded the project hub to include engagement projects to help the community connect with council and each other,’’ he said.

“This was through our Stay Home, Stay Connected campaign, which later evolved into Stay Safe, Stay Connected.

“This included Q&A sessions with artists, author talks and advice from nursery staff about what to grow in your garden.

“Another example is My Library, My COVID-19 Story. The project invites the community to upload text, photographs, and YouTube link to document the community’s experiences of how the pandemic has affected their lives.”

Mayor Williamson said council was giving away an iPad to one registered user after September 30 as part of the month-long promotion.

He said any existing registered Connecting Mackay users would automatically go into the competition draw.

“Also, any residents who register between now and September 30 will also go into the draw.”

The winner will be randomly drawn on October 1 and announced on council’s Facebook page on October 2.

To register, go to connectingmackay.com.au

Mayor Williamson said council was also inviting interested users to be part of a Connecting Mackay online panel to participate in about three surveys a year.

“We recently surveyed existing users of the site and 80 per cent of respondents said they would like to join an online panel to provide feedback,’’ he said.

“This panel is being created in line with that feedback. We’re also aiming to set up a youth panel for residents aged 12 to 25.”