Another significant step in the Imagine Lismore project will get underway today with service providers across the community, such as state and federal agencies and non-government bodies, coming together to discuss partnering opportunities in our local government area (LGA) at a two-day Strategic Alliance Summit.
Lismore City Council’s corporate services manager Simon Adcock said the aim of the summit will be to consider the feedback received from the community through the Imagine Lismore consultation project and then explore what opportunities might exist in terms of partnerships to develop a response to the community’s vision.
‘Imagine Lismore is all about asking the community what sort of place they want our area to be in the future and then mapping out how to work towards that vision,’ Simon said.
‘A key aspect in developing that map is not only to ask what Council can do to better align our services and infrastructure priorities with the community, but also to work with key community service providers and stakeholders, including members of the Lismore Leaders Group, to develop a whole-of-community response.
‘The summit participants will be given an outline of the priorities and aspirations that have been identified through the Imagine Lismore community consultation initiatives, including the community-wide survey, the Citizens’ Jury Community Vision and the feedback provided at the six place-based forums recently held in Clunes, Dunoon, Nimbin, Wyrallah, Goonellabah and Lismore.
‘Then we will explore how we can all work together to harness that vision to deliver services and infrastructure to our community more effectively and efficiently. This will be the beginning of ongoing partnership discussions that will continue over the next four months as we develop the draft Imagine Lismore Community Strategic Plan.
‘It is an exciting opportunity for us to rethink how we do things and deliver better results for our local community by developing and strengthening local partnerships.’
The head of community engagement at Southern Cross University, Ben Roche, who will be attending the summit, described the partnership approach as essential for developing effective responses to the current opportunities on offer for Lismore’s future.
‘Southern Cross University recognises that within the city we have significant leadership, strong vision, great strengths and a genuine potential that can only be realised through a partnership approach. Put simply, we can achieve more for Lismore if we work together,’ Ben said.
‘The aspirations of this summit, and the Lismore Leaders Group, are aligned with Southern Cross University’s mission to create and apply knowledge in partnership with our communities in fields that are relevant and significant. Our vision is to enrich our communities through the excellence of our scholarship and the achievements of our graduates.
‘Initiatives like Imagine Lismore help us to do this.’
The Strategic Alliance Summit will be held at Lismore City Council Chambers in Goonellabah from 8am to 5pm on Thursday, December 6 and Friday, December 7.
