The job of getting people engaged with the Queen’s Baton Relay last week was done a thousand times better in Wangaratta, according to the city’s deputy mayor.
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A healthy crowd turned out to watch the baton be carried through Wangaratta’s streets last Wednesday, before it went to Wodonga on Thursday.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, Cr Mark Currie responded to criticism that community engagement only occurred selectively.
“The amount of work and engagement that this council does, in what I have seen in two towns along the Commonwealth Games baton relay, this town did a thousand times better than any other town,” he said.
“When it comes to community engagement, people need to get out there and have a look at what goes on in those other towns.”
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of a new draft community engagement policy, which detailed a commitment to talking with the public around decision-making.
“I do find it offensive that we use the council as a batting stick and everyone just gets up and can have a crack at them for whatever reason because they don’t think it’s good,” Cr Currie said.
“They need to step outside Wangaratta’s town and have a good look at what happens in other towns because we are progressing, this council is making some good, solid changes.”
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