Major Council Plan Review - Engagement Report 2025

Published on Wednesday, 17 December 2025 at 8:23:29 AM

Major Council Plan Review - Detailed Engagement Report 2025

SUMMARY REPORT 

(Prepared using findings from Aha! Consulting Engagement Report)

1. What the Community Values Most

Engagement response themes strongly reflect Chittering’s rural identity, lifestyle and natural assets:
Top values identified:

  • Rural lifestyle and country atmosphere (highest referenced)
  • Natural environment, bushland and scenic landscapes
  • Space, peace and tranquility
  • Strong sense of local community and belonging
  • Rural living while remaining close to Perth

2. Community Vision for the Next 10 Years

The community sees Chittering as:

  • A peaceful, rural and environmentally protected place
  • Supported by better local services – health, aged care, recreation & youth facilities
  • A region with stronger tourism, jobs and local business capacity
  • Well-connected through reliable roads and digital infrastructure
  • Safe, welcoming and community-oriented

3. Key Challenges Identified

Across all engagement activities, five consistent challenge areas emerged:

  1. Managing population growth and development pressure
  2. Infrastructure capacity and essential services (especially roads, health & utilities)
  3. Protecting rural landscape, vegetation and character
  4. Economic resilience and support for local businesses
  5. Youth services, recreation, programs and connection

4. Community Priorities for Council Focus

Residents consistently support greater investment in:

  • Local roads, verges, path networks and transport links
  • Health and aged care access
  • Water security, sustainability and bushfire resilience
  • Youth recreation, sport and community programs
  • Local economic development, tourism and visitor experience
  • Protection of natural assets and environmentally sensitive areas

5. Business Sector Feedback

Business engagement highlighted opportunities for economic growth and efficiency:

  • High interest in Bindoon Bypass benefits and risk management
  • Barriers include workforce attraction, infrastructure capacity and housing supply
  • Requests for simpler approvals and proactive support from the Shire
  • Internet and telecommunications remain a major constraint
  • Rural identity = economic asset when leveraged for tourism and branding

6. Youth Perspectives

Young people emphasised the need for:

  • More sport & recreation spaces, youth hubs and events
  • Stronger links to jobs and future training pathways
  • Affordable housing options to stay local
  • Accessible mental health support and youth engagement

7. Strategic Outcomes Emerging from Engagement

Insight themes have been grouped into six future strategic outcome areas:

Outcome Focus Areas Identified by Community
1. Rural Shire, Natural Environment Protected

• Bushland protection • Water security

• Renewable energy support

• Pest & weed management
2. Healthy & Resilient Community

• Better health/aged services • Youth & sport facilities

• Emergency readiness • Strong social connection
3. Safe, Reliable & Connected Infrastructure

• Roads top priority • Paths/verges • Digital connectivity

• Growth-based infrastructure planning
4. Diverse, Sustainable Local Economy

• Tourism/agritourism • Business support

• Workforce attraction • Growth-enabling services
5. A Shire that Grows Well & Wisely

• Housing diversity • Maintain rural lifestyle

• Balance land-use • Strategic development sequencing
6. A Council that Listens & Engages

• Transparent communication • Ongoing engagement

• Trust in decision-making

8. Engagement Participation Summary

630 participants in total – one of the Shire’s strongest engagement results in recent years

Confidence level: 99% based on population sample reach

Breakdown of participation:

Engagement Activity Participation
Community Survey 267 (244 online, 23 hard copy)
Youth Survey 65
Pop-Up Events (4) 144
Workshops (6) 154 participants total
• 52 business representatives
• 41 staff
• 61 community members

This response demonstrates strong representation from both the community and business sector.

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