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PLANNING PHASES
current phase
ASSESS
Assess strengths & Opportunities
Collate projects currently on the boil already, and gather community insights and market data
DESIGN
Leverage strengths and address weaknesses
Develop our Mission, Vision, Values and long-term objectives
BUILD
Create short to medium term goals, breaking major projects into bite-sized splinter projects
Collaborate with other towns and groups and work smart
MANAGE
Roll out of projects and get sh#t done
Adapt quarterly
Update plan annually
Key Achievements so far
Centered around consolidating and broadly sharing basic information so it's on hand as part of the planning days, including:
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Vacy Historical Walk and Talk
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Vacy Public School BIG ideas session
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Vacy Town Hall workshop
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Engagement with council on who the plan is taking shape and how we can work together.
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Building the Twin Rivers Community Hub website, including Community Directory and community engagement videos
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Collating current infrastructure projects with input from community groups, individuals and Council (read more)
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The Buy Local campaign, including signage, badges and Local Gift Guide for Xmas 2024.
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Rubbish to Revelry! Christmas Upcycle Challenge
Conversation Kickstarters (more super welcome!)
Sian Ineson 0422 137 655 and Peter Kleining 0403 865 325
Open invitation for anyone with good people skills that are interested in supporting informal working groups per the key theme - please reach out! We’ll rotate as soon as we have a few interested, so our Town Plan has no kings, queens or in-betweens!
Updates
Shared via blog to email mailing list (sign up above!), Vacy Community Notice Board | Facebook and other wider groups, street signage, Paterson Psst!, Gresford News, Dungog News of the Area and in the Vacy General Store and Farmers Hotel.
Promo video. Thursday in video was a meet up 27th March
Why are we doing this?
We know our town’s story, its struggles, and its strengths better than anyone. By creating a future that honours our values and deepens our connection to each other, we ensure decisions are made with our best interests in mind. When we show up together, we’re not just part of the plan—we’re the heart of it.
How we will plan
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Encourage broad community consultation so everyone gets a seat at the table.
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Have fun! Benefit and delight each other, and for goodness sake - make it easy!
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Create opportunities for people to have a say if they are unable to attend key events, so that no one gets left behind.
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Respect each person’s time and right to privacy.
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Try to reach community members who may not have yet received an invitation to get involved in community activities that resonates with them. You belong, and we need you!
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Lean into kindness. The only way to have good neighbours is to be one.
...and how we won't
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Use information for social currency or self-promotion. No way!
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Enabling overreach and letting personal agendas overshadow collective efforts. Nope!
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Diminish or disrespect opinions that differ from our own or try to persuade others to adopt our views. Not a chance!
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Overwhelm people with ideas to make their existing events/projects BIGGER and better! Collaboration and energy is wonderful hand in hand with respect that change can be scary and bigger isn't always best.
Let’s celebrate our differences and approach each perspective with respect, curiosity and openness.
