Community feedback is being sought on Mount Gambier’s cultural identity as part of the development of a vision to guide City Council’s strategic planning process for the next 10 years – Mount Gambier – 2035.
Mount Gambier City Council chief executive Sarah Philpott said the cultural identity survey consists of five questions to better understand the community’s connection with Mount Gambier as a place.
“In listening to our community through the ongoing Mount Gambier – 2035 project, it is clear that culture and identity means a lot to us all and plays an important role in shaping our plans for the future,” she said.
“Our goal is to clearly identify a sense of identity for Mount Gambier today — reflecting aspects of our identity that should be reinforced, developed or improved. This will help guide decisions to enhance and/or evolve these core aspects of our sense of place.
“Council wishes to further understand the character of the community and what makes the city unique.
“Each community has its own traditions, values, and norms that shape its identity over time. These aspects are very important because they give us pride, a sense of belonging, and a responsibility to each other.
“Our natural landscape sets us apart, but there’s more to Mount Gambier than just being the ‘Blue Lake City’. We would like to delve a little deeper to define our unique identity, giving consideration to our social and cultural interests, our rich history, our diverse people, and our unique pursuits, whether you live, work or study or regularly visit the city.”
Ms Philpott said council was currently facilitating targeted conversations and interviews with key stakeholders and community members to further explore the themes that were highlighted from the first phase of the project.
“The information will be collated and provided to a community panel to support council in shaping Mount Gambier – 2035,” she said.
“The panel will consider feedback themes and provide recommendations to inform the community vision, the strategic priorities for the community, and define the cultural identity of the city.”
Survey responses will assist the Mount Gambier – 2035 community panel to understand and define our cultural identity as part of shaping the vision for the future.
Visit www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au/mountgambier2035 for further information about the development of the strategic plan and take part in the cultural identity survey.
The survey closes on May 5.
THE FIVE QUESTIONS:
What has brought you to, or kept you in, Mount Gambier?
What are you most and least proud of about Mount Gambier’s culture or identity?
If you only had 30 seconds, what would you say is uniquely Mount Gambier?
What could only happen in Mount Gambier?
How would you describe the feeling and atmosphere of Mount Gambier?
