Project Reference Groups General Information

Council throughout its term will recognise Project Reference Groups (PRGs) that are required to be established to carry out specific objectives of Council.

Each PRG will have its own objectives, the proposed representatives, time frame to carry out their objective(s) and reporting structure.

Unless otherwise stated the PRG members will consist of no less than:

  • 3 invited members from specific community groups, other government agencies or from skilled representatives in the community;
  • 2 interested community representatives (chosen from a panel of interested community representatives); and
  • a relevant staff member(s).

Panel of Interested Community Members

A panel of interested community members will be formed to be available for selection on a particular PRG. It is suggested panel groups consist of broad headings to attract a diverse group of community members such as:

  • Ecology - caring for the environment
    • to protect biodiversity and habitat, maintain healthy waterways, protect landscape integrity
    • Examples of PRGs are the Environmental PRGs - Coastal and Estuary, Biodiversity, Sustainability, Dunecare
  • Economy - prosperous community and business
    • To provide efficient and renewable resource use, healthy economic activity, meaningful work and employment
    • Examples of PRGs are Creative Industries and Home-Based Business, Sustainable Agriculture, Council Opportunities, Tourism
  • Society and Culture - creative and caring communities
    • To provide diverse culture & creativity, foster identity and sense of community and enhance community wellbeing
    • Examples of PRGs are Aboriginal Protocol, Access, Cultural, Events, Library, Social
  • Human Habitat - efficient and liveable communities
    • To provide effective risk and hazard management, effective infrastructure services, harmonious built and natural environment
    • Examples of PRGs are Asset Management, Dunecare/Landcare Volunteer Coordination, Ewingsdale Sport and Cultural Facility, Floodplain Risk Management, Broken Head Quarry, Transport, Water, Heritage Issues

Having a panel of interested community representatives for the PRGs will assist in getting the PRG meetings/discussions commencing as soon as possible without waiting the usual advertising period and appointment time (eg approx. 3 months).  It will be possible also for any interested community members to register their interest on a panel at any time during Council’s term.

The panel nomination form asks applicants to indicate their specific area of interest from the broad headings detailed above, relative qualifications, interests and personal details. In addition, the nomination form will ask applicants to indicate any potential periods when they may not be available to participate in a PRG.

All information will be collated and incorporated into a database. A community member may have interests in more than one area and may belong to more than one PRG.

Staff will recommend to Council or an Advisory Committee the two community members for appointment.  

Invited Members

PRG membership also consists of invited members from specific community groups, other government agencies or from skilled representatives in the community.  These invited members have been nominated by staff and approved by Council.

Strategic Planning Committee, the Communications Committee, the MCI Committee or the Policy Advisory Committee

General Information

At the end of the PRG's timeframe to carry out its objective(s) it will, in most cases, be disbanded whether it has completed the objectives or not.  In some circumstances the timeframe may be extended by the appointing Committee or Council.

A Committee may also at any time reappoint the same PRG to carry out different objectives.  The Committee may choose different community members from the panel already registered.