When is the community consultation taking place?

Consultation on the draft Policy is open from Friday 12 June to 11:59pm, Sunday 5 July 2026.

What happens to my feedback?

All feedback will be reviewed and, where required, changes will be made to the draft Policy.

A summary of community feedback and the updated draft Policy will then be provided to Council for consideration as part of their decision-making process.

Who can provide feedback?

All residents, ratepayers, business owners and anyone who visits or works in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters is invited to participate in this consultation.

Feedback can be provided in the following ways:

• Online: https://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/haveyoursay

• Mail: Community Engagement Policy Consultation, City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, PO Box 204, Kent Town SA 5071

• Email: communityengagement@npsp.sa.gov.au

• In person: The draft policy and hardcopy surveys are available at the Citizen Service Centre and the Council’s three libraries.

Feedback must be received by 11:59pm, Sunday 5 July 2026.

Are comments posted on Facebook or other social media be considered as feedback?

Comments on social media are welcome but are not considered formal feedback as part of the consultation process. Please see above for the official ways to provide feedback.

Who can I contact for more information?

Allison Kane Manager, Strategic Communications & Advocacy Telephone: 08 8366 4555 Email: akane@npsp.sa.gov.au

What is community engagement?

Community engagement can be described as any process that involves the community in decision-making and uses that community input to make better, more informed decisions.

It is about providing genuine opportunities for diverse communities to meaningfully contribute to problems, opportunities and outcomes that affect or interest them.

Community engagement occurs across a spectrum and can include a range of activities from informing (for example, through communications), consultation and active community participation.

Why is Council reviewing its policy now?

The recent adoption of the Local Government’s Community Engagement Charter means that all South Australian councils are required to adopt a new Community Engagement Policy. The Charter was released in December 2025.

When will the policy be endorsed?

Based on transitional legislative requirements, the new policy must be adopted by all councils by Friday 11 September 2026. The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters will adopt its new Policy at its meeting on Tuesday 7 August 2026, following outcomes of the consultation process.

Why does the Council have a public Community Engagement Policy?

Section 50 of the Local Government Act 1999 requires every council to prepare and adopt a Community Engagement Policy. This policy explains the steps we will take to involve our community in decisions, while also meeting our legal obligations under the Act.

What is in the Community Engagement Policy?

The policy is required in accordance with Section 50A of the Local Government Act 1999 which requires the Council to adopt a Community Engagement Policy that is consistent with, and complies with, the Community Engagement Charter and sets out the responsibilities of the Council in respect to community consultation and engagement. The policy aligns with the requirements of the Local Government Community Engagement Charter (the Charter) that sets standards and directions for how the community can expect the Council to engage with them on matters concerning decisions.

What types of engagement does the Community Engagement Policy specify?

The Minister for Local Government's Community Engagement Charter establishes different categories of consultation matters as below:

• Significant—Annual Business Plan and Rating Policy: decisions related to a council’s adoption of its annual business plan or proposed changes to the basis of its council rates.
• Significant: decisions that a council makes that have a significant impact on most or all ratepayers and residents, or the wider community or area.
• Standard: decisions that a council makes that benefit from community input across the council area.
• Local: decisions that impact an identifiable smaller group of residents/ratepayers or a local area.
• Inform: matters where councils provide information to a community impacted by a decision.

What factors form part of Council's decision-making processes?

While community engagement does not replace the final decision-making powers of the Council, engagement findings form an important part of the Council's decision-making process and help to ensure that the final decisions made by Council are equitable, sustainable and well-informed.

Other factors that make up the decision-making process include:

• Council's strategic plans
• Relevant legislation and policies
• Available resources and financial parameters
• Environmental, social and economic context
• Knowledge of staff and local decision makers
• Legal or expert advice.

What is the Community Engagement Charter?

The Community Engagement Charter is a legislative Framework under the Local Government Acts1999 that sets out the minimum standards for community engagement across South Australin councils. It ensures that councils consult effectively, transparently and consistently when making decisions that affect their communities. The Charter replaces earlier consultation requirements in the Act and sets mandatory engagement principles and categories that all South Australian councils must comply with.

What’s the difference between the Community Engagement Charter and a Community Engagement Policy?

The Community Engagement Charter applies to all local councils across South Australia and outlines commitments, priorities, principles and values about how councils seek community input on the decisions that impact them.

The Community Engagement Policy is required under the Local Government Act 1999 and sets out the steps Council must follow to meet its legal obligations when engaging with the community.

The Policy must be consistent and comply with the Community Engagement Charter.

Is community consultation required for matters not outlined in the Charter?

The Charter covers a wide range of statutory matters however not every council decision activity or process is specified. However, the Council recognises there may be decisions, activities and processes where the Act and Charter are silent in relation to community engagement, but for which community engagement may still be appropriate.

The Council regularly engages with the community in relation to other decisions, activities or processes of the Council not specified in the Charter, at its absolute discretion.

For the avoidance of doubt, there is no obligation on the Council to undertake any additional or discretionary consultation outside of the requirements of the Act and Charter.

How can I find information about community engagement and consultation activities?

You can access information about every community engagement by:

• Visiting the Council’s website www.npsp.sa.gov.au/haveyoursay
• Following the Council’s Facebook page
• Subscribing to Look East, the Council’s e-newsletter
• Visiting the Council’s Citizen Service Centre or three libraries.