WHAT do you want life to look like on the Mornington Peninsula in 2040?
That’s the question Mornington Peninsula Shire has been asking the community throughout May with the help of a team of dedicated local community ambassadors.
It’s the biggest community engagement project the Shire has ever done and it’s going to help shape our future for the next 20 years. The Shire is literally handing the pen to the community to write their own vision.
The ambassadors have been out and about across the Peninsula, chatting with people and collecting their thoughts and ideas about what is important to them.
Shopping centres, libraries, markets, schools, sporting clubs, business groups, community centres and more – these ambassadors have been leaving no stone unturned in their quest to hear what the community has to say.
Community ambassador Louise Bradley came on board because she wanted to help people be involved in this important project.
“Being out in the community and really listening to people about their hopes, dreams and fears for the future has been an amazing experience,” Louise said.
“It’s not every day you stop and think about what you want life to look like in 20 years’ time. We’re all so busy day to day, so it’s been really interesting to help people imagine what type of future they want.
“We’ve all met lots of wonderful people and have been inspired by everyone’s ideas. Although I’m not sure the ‘chocolate fountain in every school’ idea will make it into the vision!”
So what does happen to all this information?
It is given to a randomly selected Citizens’ Panel, which will distil the feedback into a community vision to present to Council. The Shire will then use this clear picture of the future to develop policies, programs and projects that steer the Peninsula towards this shared vision.
This project is for and about everyone who lives or works on the Peninsula – we all have a role to play in making the best future possible.
You can follow the project online and receive email updates as we journey towards a shared vision for the Mornington Peninsula.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 18 May 2021
