As a councillor, one of the most rewarding parts of the role is hearing directly from our residents – your ideas, concerns and aspirations help shape the direction of our region. That’s why I want to highlight a valuable tool that is helping council stay connected with the community – the Connecting Mackay website.
Connecting Mackay is council’s dedicated engagement platform, designed to give every resident a voice in local projects, initiatives and planning. Whether it’s providing feedback on a liveability survey, learning about infrastructure upgrades or taking part in long-term strategic planning, this site ensures your voice is heard.
What makes Connecting Mackay so effective is its accessibility. You don’t need to attend a meeting or wait for a letter in the mail – you can participate from the comfort of your home, on your own time. The platform includes surveys, interactive maps and project timelines, all in one easy-to-navigate place.
Recent consultations have shown the power of this approach. From input on our Waterfront PDA projects, to ideas for community events and local infrastructure upgrades, we’ve seen strong engagement and valuable community-led ideas. It’s a true two-way street – and the feedback we receive can directly inform council’s decision-making processes. Without the input of the community, council cannot make a fully informed decision.
Importantly, however, community engagement does not replace the decision-making functions of council. There are many factors that can influence this process, including costs, technical aspects, environmental concerns, legal requirements and political commitment. Rather, these processes are designed to ensure that council has access to a broad range of information about community needs, opinions and options prior to decisions being made.
I encourage every resident to sign up at connectingmackay.com.au. It takes just a few minutes, and by doing so, you’ll be part of shaping the future of our region. Whether you're a long-time local or new to town, your perspective matters.
Council is committed to transparency, collaboration and genuine community engagement. Connecting Mackay is one of the key ways we’re delivering on that promise.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Stay informed, stay involved – and let’s keep building a better Mackay together.
By Cr Belinda Hassan
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