Citizens' Panel

Have your say about your community - become a member of Marrickville Council's Citizens' Panel!

What is the Citizens' Panel?

The Citizens' Panel is a diverse group of residents who represent the people of the Marrickville local government area by having their say about important issues affecting our community. While the Citizens' Panel is not a formal decision-making body, members' input helps Council to better understand the community's needs and wants, and plan for the future.

There are currently around 300 members on the Marrickville Council Citizens' Panel.

Why have a Citizens' Panel?

Local government is in a unique position to connect and engage the local community. In recognition of this, Marrickville Council established a Citizens' Panel in 2002.

By having a Citizens' Panel we are able to ask individuals their opinion on a range of important community issues, bringing these opinions together to produce a community voice.

The Citizens' Panel enables Council to:

Better understand the needs and aspirations of the community;
Involve members of the community in decision-making processes;
Empower the community to have their say on issues that affect them;
Make informed planning decisions; and
Increase transparency and accountability in decision making.

How to join

You can become a member of the Citizens' Panel by downloading a form (editable DOC file) and returning it to Council's Corporate Projects Officer by:

email to comengage@marrickville.nsw.gov.au
fax to 9335 2222
post to: Communication and Engagement Coordinator, PO Box 14, Petersham NSW 2049

If you're under 18 years of age you'll need your parent or guardian's permission to join.

If you are a current member of the Citizens' Panel and have left the area or would like to relinquish your membership, you can do so at any time by contacting Council's Corporate Projects Officer at the details above.

What it means to be a member

Marrickville Council Citizens' Panel membership is free.

Members have the opportunity to have their say about issues that affect the local community, assisting Council make informed planning decisions. As a member you can be involved as little or as much as you like. You can be an opinion leader or just keep up with what's happening in the Marrickville area. There are no minimum engagement requirements: the Citizens' Panel is an opt-in' process.

As a member you'll receive our monthly e-newsletter and regular notification of upcoming consultations. You'll have the opportunity to meet with Council decision makers and participate in a range of consultation activities. These activities include:

public meetings
annual bus tour
focus groups
surveys

Who can join

Marrickville residents of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life are encouraged to get involved. With your input, the Council can address the issues important to the Marrickville area and work towards improving the community for everyone.

Note: you are ineligible if you are currently a member of Marrickville Council staff or a councillor.

Other ways to have your say

Feedback Form: Fill out a website feedback form
Contact a Councillor: Find out the contact details of the councillors in your ward

Your Community Your Say newsletter

The Citizens' Panel e-newsletter provides updates on how Council has used your feedback in past community consultations as well as information on all the different ways that you can get involved in the future.

Links