The power of people
- Published Date
- 26/04/2023
- News Topic
- Beaches & Lifeguards, Council, Workshops, Seminars & Classes, Seniors
They meet in community centres, surf clubs and RSLs over cups of tea and Council documents. They’re the local residents volunteering their time to give a voice to their communities. Precinct Committees have been around since 1996... but just what is a Precinct and how can you get involved? It’s actually easier than you may think – you’re already a member.
It’s a warm February night and about 50 people slowly stroll into the Matraville RSL for the first Matraville Precinct Meeting for the year.
There’s lots of familiar chatter and smiles between attendees. Some clutch glasses of water, others lemon lime and bitters or a sneaky schooner as they wait for the meeting to start.
It’s a big one – a changing of the guard for the Precinct Executive. New chairperson Laurie O’Connor, secretary Anthony O’Flynn and treasurer Danielle Wood introduce themselves. They’re all local residents, all volunteers, all giving up their time to run this meeting.
Steve McAndrew and Terry Campbell are in the crowd too. They’re the outgoing Executives who retired from the Precinct at the end of last year after six years of service.
First up on the agenda is a presentation from Council on the new Matraville Masterplan. The attendees listen attentively and respectfully. They fire away their questions – they’re direct and insightful, but not rude... just passionate. After all, this is Matto and people speak their mind.
Then comes other business, it’s basically anything people want to raise. Nothing’s off limit. Can we have more off-leash dog parks? Can Council restrict access for heavy vehicles? How’s that roundabout coming along?
Recommendations are moved and seconded by those attending and voted on. They’ll be sent by the Secretary to Council for consideration and response.
And that’s how the meeting goes. It’s civil, orderly, but casual.
Councillors attend as well, as do the local State and Federal Members. But they’re not in charge. It’s a resident meeting run by residents, for residents in partnership with Council.
Any resident or ratepayer in the Precinct area is automatically a member. There’s no fee or application form. Just turn up whenever you want or have an issue to raise.
“It's important because it gives residents an avenue to voice their concerns and issues. The more people that attend the Precinct meetings the stronger the voice. That’s important,” says Terry.
The importance of community connection was particularly evident during the pandemic when Precinct meetings went online. Rather than losing attendees, Precincts like Matraville actually increased attendees with some meetings attracting over 100 people.
“There is still a need for people to get together and discuss issues as a group,” says Steve. “It brings communities together and forms friendships. A lot of people feel more comfortable in a group environment."
Just up the road a bit, the Coogee Precinct has been one of the most active Precincts. Two of the Precinct’s most well-known members and active members are Coogee couple Rona Wade and Mark England.
“The Precincts are a grass roots expression of democracy,” says Mark.
"Precincts give focus to local issues and facilitate dialogue with council. This is a great achievement for those residents who are beset by local issues over which they feel no control or influence.”
“They are an important refuge and resource for residents to turn to. They give focus to local issues and facilitate dialogue with council. This is a great achievement for those residents who are beset by local issues over which they feel no control or influence.”
Mark also says the fact Precincts are held in person is their strength.
“Machines are made to help with communication, but they do not replace face to face physical contact. As humans we need and value this. Meetings in which we are physically present have been found far more satisfactory than the virtual meetings that we had during Covid lockdown.”
At La Perouse, long-serving Precinct Executive Member Charles Abela helped set up one of the first Precinct meetings in the area now known as Bays & Beaches Precinct.
“I immediately recognised the many advantages and potential effectiveness of the Precinct Committee system over informal local action groups,” Charles says.
“Many people prefer to attend meetings in person rather than meet digitally because in person meetings provide opportunity for personal interaction and interpersonal information exchange.”
At Randwick Precinct, Katrina Drewer and Leanne Bergan are relative newcomers having first got involved in 2019.
“I was having trouble with a local development and found it hard to get any traction,” says Katrina. “I took my issue to a Precinct meeting and it was a pathway into Council that I would not normally have thought of.”
For Leanne, she believes the Precincts are about grass roots community engagement and hearing various viewpoints.
“People are looking for meaningful connection, especially post-Covid. I would encourage more people to get involved... you never know who you might meet, or what issue might crop up. Precincts can be fun as well as informative!”
