300 Forums120 Clients in 3 Years

Section 1: Great Topics

The most engaging topics are both concrete and emotional.

Hornsby HousingStrategy

www.bangthetable.com/hornsbyhousing

35,300 Visits9,200 Visitors1,148 Comments1,444 Docs Downloaded

Newcastle Rail Removal

Jodi McKay MP

8,000 Visitors2,500 Comments

Lismore Rates Increase

www.haveyoursaylismore.com.au

27,000 Visits3,300 Visitors1321 Comments

Section 2: Great Questions

Great questions can take many forms depending on the topic, the strategy and the outcome you are looking for.

Scenario Based QuestionsScenario based questions prompt participants to respond deeply to complex issues and provokes thoughtful dialogue.

Is an offence that only risks a high level of harm more or less serious than an offence that actually causes a lower level of harm?

Scenario 1David throws a rock off a freeway overpass into moving traffic. The rock narrowly misses the windscreen of a car and bounces to the side of the road. No

one is physically injured.

Scenario 2 David punches Victor once in the face, intending to injure him, Victor’s

face is bruised.

www.talksentencing.vic.gov.au

3775 Visits1440 Visitors218 Comments

OpenQuestionsBroken Hill City Council got a thoughtful response to its Aquatic Centre consultation by asking a series of open questions.

Open Question

What are your thoughts on the best way to structure the entry fee and what do you think would be an appropriate charge?

Open QuestionDo you have a view on the best way for recreational swimmers, club swimmers and lap swimmers to share the 25m and 50m pools?

Open QuestionWhat new facility would you like to see incorporated into the complex should extra funding become available?

www.bangthetable.com/brokenhillpool9,200 Visits2,800 Visitors92 Comments

Appreciative QuestionsThe City of Melville’s community development team asked their community to think positively to help inform their cultural plan.

Appreciative Question

What are three things you like to do in the City of Melville and why?

Appreciative Question

What ideas do you have to enhance the quality of life in our local community?

Appreciative Question

When people visit, what are you proud to show them in your local community and why?

www.werelisteningmelville.com.au2097 Site Visits809 Visitors146 Comments

Place Based TopicsHornsby Shire Council asked its community to respond to the draft housing strategy by thinking about the impact on their suburb.

www.bangthetable.com/hornsbyhousing

10,500 Site Visits3,044 Visitors1405 Comments1:6 Comment/Reply Ratio

Opening Up Discussion TopicsNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has opened up the potential of the forums by letting their stakeholder community create their own discussion topics.

www.sydneyharbourpom.com.au

10,500 Site Visits3,044 Visitors1405 Comments1:6 Comment/Reply Ratio

Forum as FAQPeabody Energy has demonstrated that it is possible to use the forum as a “live” frequently asked questions space. They respond to each an every issued raised by a member of the public.

www.chainvalleymine.com.au19,700 Visits3,300 Visitors1,175 Docs Downloaded51 Comments

Section 3: Great Content

Great content makes the issues accessible and demonstrates your commitment.

Clear Copy & Call to ActionThe New Zealand Government’s Rethink Online site demonstrated that plain English and straightforward instructions can make even the most complex consultation accessible.

“Calling all web teams, vendors and other experts on government online - we're looking for ways that New Zealand government can improve online information and services, make better use of our limited resources and keep up with change.”

www.rethinkonline.newzealand.govt.nz

3234 Site Visits1013 Visitors100 Active Participants146 Comments

Embedded SlideshowsEmbedding slideshows in the discussion forums made it easy for participants to appreciate the competition entries for St Kilda Botanical Garden gates designs.

www.haveyoursayportphillip.net.au

2773 Site Visits957 Visitors267 Document Downloads

AudioTweed Shire made great use of audio files to talk through the detail behind the Community Strategic Plan consultation

www.ourtweedvision.com.au

3,696 Site Visits595 Visitors248 Comments295 Document Downloads

Video Vox PopsGrafton Shire made great use of video vox pops with community members to get the rest of the community involved in the Library Service Plan.

www.bangthetable.com/new-grafton-library

5,049 Site Visits944 Visitors176 Document Downloads

Video InvitationWarringah Mayor, Michael Regan, issued a personal invitation by video to Warringah residents to get involved in the consultation about their housing strategy.

www.bangthetable.com/ futurehousing

8,400 Visits2,800 Visitors167 Comments242 Document Downloads

Section 4: Great Management

Great management can make the difference between good consultation outcomes and a great consultation outcomes.

Demonstrable responsivenessThe Lake Macquarie Council waste management team made 62 comments on their own forum to either respond, thank or follow up on participant comments.

www.haveyoursaylakemac.net.au

5968 Site Visits1966 Visitors286 Comments

“Hi Chookman,

A 2 bin system achieves the same reduction to landfill as the 3 bin system - it recycles the general waste and turns it into a compost through an alternative waste treatment system. The benefit with a 2 bin system is people don't need to sort their food waste from everything else in their general kitchen bin, it remains business as usual, which caters to those people who are reluctant to make the effort to do this sorting.”

Knowledgeable FacilitatorsKnowledge specialist facilitators prompted participants to dig deeper in the Yarra Ranges Art in Public Places Consultation.

www.yarrarangesviews.com.au2,400 Visits600 Visitors248 Comments8 Average per Participant28/220 Comment/Reply Ration

Independent FacilitationThe ACT Government brought in an independent facilitator to respond to forum participants and tease out issues.

www.bangthetable.com.au/actconsultations

8,000 Visits2,500 Visitors538 Downloaded Docs

Submission SharingThe Office of the Australian Minister for the Arts used the library to share more that 22,500 of its public submissions with 3,800 people.

www.nationalculturalpolicy.com.au13,245 Site Visits12,227 Visitors3,835 Downloaded Docs22,545 Document Downloads

Section 5: Great Strategy

Great strategic planning drives more participation over the long term.

Community BuildingBy launching with two high profile issues Hastings Council was able to quickly build a community of interest around its consultation site.

www.pmhclistening.com.au

29,526 Site Visits7,767 Visitors10 Forums

Parallel IssuesBlue Mountains Council has run nine consultations online in quick succession and in parallel to drive traffic from high interest issues through to lower interest projects.

www.haveyoursaybluemountains.com.au

16,364 Site Visits3,780 Visitors46,816 Page Views428 Comments

Parallel ProcessesWarringah Council got great results by using replicating their “Talk of the Town” process online.

www.yoursaywarringah.com.au1,300 Site Visits500 Visitors49 Comments

Archiving ConsultationsLogan City Council has created a dedicated newsfeed page listing each of its eleven archived consultations.

www.haveyoursaylogancity.com.au/completedforums17,593 Site Visits4,756 Visitors6 Forum Topics610 Comments

Responding to SentimentLismore City Council received a loud and clear message from the community that it was overwhelmingly opposed to a rates increase. It responded by maintaining its existing rates schedule.

www.haveyoursaylismore.com.au

27,000 Site Visits3,300 Visitors1,321 Comments15,000 Agrees & Disagrees