Applications for community representative positions on the City’s advisory committees are now officially open, giving Novocastrians the chance to help shape the future of Newcastle.
City of Newcastle has opened expressions of interest for a limited number of community representative positions on six advisory committees.
The representatives would provide advice and guidance to the elected Council and City of Newcastle on matters of strategic significance and identify opportunities that would help benefit the community.
New members of the City’s advisory committees will join existing community members and City of Newcastle staff to help shape critical policies and initiatives across the Newcastle Local Government Area.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the volunteer representatives on the committees played an essential role in helping shape the shared vision of the Community Strategic Plan.
“We’re looking for individuals from all walks of life, including those with experience in or a passion for areas including urban planning, arts, heritage, innovation, smart infrastructure, the environment and transport, as well as champions for access and inclusion and advocates for Indigenous issues,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Community members with lived experience or expertise in these areas are an invaluable resource whose perspective or skills can help identify challenges and opportunities for our city and provide guidance during the development of key strategies designed to make Newcastle a better place to live, work in and visit.
“With a new Community Strategic Plan, Newcastle 2040, expected to be finalised later this year following the current period of public exhibition, we will have a new shared vision for Newcastle and will look to these advisory committees for guidance as we put this plan into action.”
Membership of the committees includes up to three Councillors, the Lord Mayor, stakeholders, and three community representatives.
Councillor Margaret Wood previously served on the Access Inclusion Advisory Committee as a community member and will now act as co-chairperson.
“As a community member of the previous committee, I found that it was a great opportunity to contribute to change,” Cr Wood said.
“I felt that the diverse perspectives of committee members added a lot of value to the City’s work implementing the first Disability Inclusion Action Plan and in developing the new Action Plan.
“I encourage people with lived experience of disability to apply to become involved with the Access Inclusion Advisory Committee.”
The committees that have casual vacancies for community representatives include the Access Inclusion Advisory Committee; Community and Culture Advisory Committee; Liveable Cities Advisory Committee; Infrastructure Advisory Committee; Strategy and Innovation Advisory Committee; and the Guraki Advisory Committee.
Expressions of Interest to join the advisory committees can be submitted until March 20.
Further information on the positions, the process and the eligibility criteria can be found on the City of Newcastle’s website.
Information source: City of Newcastle