NYAH DISTRICT COMMUNITY PLAN

REVIEW PROCESS

Rural City Council

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CONTENT PAGE

1. Executive Summary 4

2. Survey Results 6

3. Focus Groups 9

4. New Initiatives to be considered for the Plan 11

5. Council Services 15

6. Nyah District Community Plan Review Public Meeting

7. Community Profile 16

8. Community Achievements 17

9. SWOT Analysis 18

10. Kee Pad Survey 20

11. Information to be included in the revised Community Plan 22

12. Conclusion 26

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The current projects within the Nyah District Community Plan are overall supported and seen as relevant to the future of the Nyah District. However, more information is required to give the wider community a better understanding about each project, such as investigating opportunities for the Nyah Recreation Reserve and Facilities, the community op shop and men’s shed and improving streetscapes. This could be achieved through the establishment of focus groups whose role is to develop a project brief, action and implementation plans. It is also a responsibility for focus groups to keep the wider community informed through the Nyah District Action Group who are the managers of the community plan. Community members agreed that the following Vision be included in the revised community plan.

Nyah District is a liveable, quiet and safe community

The community identified two statements to be included in the Nyah District Community Plan Beyond Tomorrow 1. Youth Priorities - The Nyah district community to support the youth to identify and

include a couple of youth projects within the community plan.

2. The Nyah district community to continue to support the Nyah District Action Group’s projects

The projects listed below have been prioritised in the Nyah District Community Plan Beyond Tomorrow.

1. Promotion and Marketing of the Nyah District

2. Investigate opportunities for the Nyah Recreation Reserve and Facilities

3. Celebrate our Heritage

4. Improving Infrastructure

5. Continue to support the Op Shop in Nyah West

6. Continue to support the Men’s Shed in Nyah West

7. Improving our Natural Environment

8. Improve Streetscapes in Nyah and Nyah West*

9. Physical Activity*

10. Funding connected to the community plan*

11. Land Use Planning*

12. Improve Signage*

* Initiatives/projects which have been placed on hold until focus groups can be

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established to drive these projects on behalf of the community.

Nyah District Action Group and Council’s Youth Support Officer to work closely to identify youth who reside in the Nyah District to encourage youth priorities to be included in the Nyah District Community Plan Beyond Tomorrow. The survey results highlighted the need for Council to raise awareness and promote the services they offer to the Nyah District. Community members provided a number of comments. These comments need to be considered in the development of the reviewed community plan. A draft copy of the reviewed community plan was developed from information collected in the survey and distributed throughout the community to collect any additional information prior to finalising the plan. The Nyah District community will be invited to sign off on the reviewed plan at a Nyah District Action Group (NDAG) Meeting in August 2013. Projects are to be implemented by those who volunteered to be on a focus group. Council’s Community Planning and Development Officer will support focus groups to come together to start their initial planning. It should be noted that other community members can join focus groups by informing the NDAG. Community members felt it was important to try and use the SWOT Analysis to strengthen our community and everyone agreed that the Nyah District Community Plan should be managed by the NDAG and that the next community plan review to take place in 12-18 months.

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2. SURVEY RESULTS There were a total of thirty questionnaires completed of which six questionnaires were completed on behalf of Nyah District community groups. This equated to representation of 288 members plus one committee that did not indicate numbers of members. All who completed a questionnaire had some involvement with the Nyah District.

The following is a list of projects that are listed in the Nyah District Community Plan 2008/2009. People were asked to indicate on a scale from 1-10 (1 being not important, 5 being important to 10 being extremely important) how important they felt these projects were to the future of the Nyah District.

Twenty-two questionnaires indicated that the investigation of the Nyah Recreation Reserve and facilities is extremely important to the future of the Nyah district.

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Thirteen questionnaires indicated that the community op shop and men’s shed projects are extremely important to the future of the Nyah district. There were no questionnaires indicating that these projects are not important to the community.

Twelve responses indicated that the Nyah District Action Group’s projects are important to the future of the Nyah District.

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Fourteen responses indicated that youth priorities are extremely important to the future of the Nyah District. There were another fifteen responses indicating important or higher with regards to youth priorities and the future of the Nyah District.

Thirteen responses indicated that improvements to streetscapes are extremely important to the future of the Nyah District.

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3. FOCUS GROUPS Part of the community planning process is to identify focus groups to drive each of the projects on behalf of the community. The role of the focus groups is to work closely with the Nyah District Action Group to develop and review action plans, to achieve projects, to liaise with Council’s Community Planning and Development Officer, to engage broad sectors of the community, and to report regularly to the community. There were no groups who indicated through the questionnaire that they would like to join a focus group. Three community members however indicated that they would like to have involvement in current community plan projects and new initiatives if undertaken in the reviewed community plan. In addition a number of people indicated at the Nyah District Community Plan Review public meeting that they would also like to be involvement in particular projects as indicated on the focus group registration form. Focus group members are listed under information to be included in the revised community plan. Contact details have been collected from interested parties will be followed up individually through the community plan review process.

4. NEW INITIATIVES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE NYAH DISTRICT COMMUNITY PLAN BEYOND TOMORROW

There were fourteen questionaries that provided ideas for new initiatives. These new initiatives were captured under themes as listed below- Heritage

Restoration and bird-proofing the Nyah pumping station building and historic pump

Develop a Heritage Walk in Nyah and Nyah West Reactivation of the old historic irrigation pump at Nyah Helping owners of historical buildings shop fronts to revamp and

cleanup. Ensure Heritage is not a burden to its owners

Promotion and Marketing of the Nyah District

Develop a website for business, tourism, sports clubs, community and

infant welfare Erect a sign for Nyah West Shopping District at Two Bays Corner Nyah West Shopping Centre sign More active tourism promotion – pamphlets for individual interests

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Information board that indicates where towns are and what services they offer

More information for tourists about the area

Improving Infrastructure

Re-sheet Chinkapook-Nyah West Road Turn old Nyah school ground into a park with grass and a toilet,

remove fences Reserve on the corner of Donald and Frederick Streets Improve house numbering on gutters Ensure buildings are structurally sound Lighting Two Bays Corner Lighting at Nyah West

Improving our Natural Environment

Rid footpaths and street reserves of weeds Removal of noxious weeds throughout district Clear burrs from walking areas Clean up roadside along Nyah West Road

Physical Activity

Seats along river walking track Bike track off the highway to Wood Wood and Piangil

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5. COUNCIL SERVICES

People were asked to select the boxes which indicated the Council Services that they were aware of that Council provides in the Nyah District. Twenty - nine people completed this section of the questionnaire. Results are shown in the following chart.

People were then asked to indicate which they felt were the three most important Council Services to the future of the Nyah District. Responses are captured below.

Garbage Collection/Waste Management

Youth Services

Maintenance of public amenities

Aged-care Services

Tourism

12

Tree planting/Beautification

Road Maintenance

Protection of historic buildings

Most Important Council Services

0

12

34

56

78

9

Gar

bage

Col

lect

ion/

Was

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anag

emen

t

Roa

d M

aint

enan

ce

You

th S

ervi

ces

Age

d-ca

re S

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ces

Tour

ism

Tree

Pla

ntin

g/B

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ifica

tion

Pro

tect

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of H

isto

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uild

ings

Mai

nten

ance

of P

ublic

Gro

unds

/Sw

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Poo

ls

Pub

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Ani

mal

Con

trol

People were also asked to indicate which they felt were the three least important Council Services to the future of the Nyah District. Responses are captured below.

Roundabouts

Council Website

Car Parking Control

Least Important Council Services

0123456789

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Council

Website

Rounda

bouts

Car Parki

ng C

ontro

l

Beauti

ficati

on

Public

Tips

Protec

tion of H

istori

c Build

ings

Town P

lannin

g Con

trols

Buildin

g Contr

ols

Health Edu

catio

n Prog

rams

Footpa

th Main

tenanc

e

Busines

s Trai

ning

Enviro

nmen

tal H

ealth

Touris

m

Public

Halls

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Council Services

Number of community members who knew Council provided this service

Family Day Care 16 Maternal and Child Health 21 Preschool 25 Support to community groups/ clubs 19 Community Grants 22 Community Planning/Plans 19 Services for Youth 3 Maintenance of Senior Citizens Centres 24 Home Care Services 26 Meals-on-Wheels 26 Council Website 14 Encouragement of business (new and existing) 7 Business training and support programs 5 Promotion of tourism 15 Building controls 16 Town Planning controls 16 Traffic controls and signs 18 Footpath maintenance 13 Roundabouts 3 Public Lighting 21 Maintenance of rural and urban roads 16 Maintenance of rural and urban drainage 16 Protection of natural bushland 13 Protection of historic buildings 15 Beautification of streets 9 Street cleaning 26 Tree planting programs 11 Tree maintenance 13 Animal control 18 Road furniture, line marking and car parking 17 Car parking control 10 Garbage collection 29 Re-cycling 28 Public tips/transfer station 12 Waste management 14 Public toilets, conveniences and rest centres 27 Immunisation program 21 Food premises inspections 15

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Health education programs 12 Town Parks /Gardens 24 Playground 24 Local parks 24 Recreation Reserves 25 Nyah Community Centre 24 Ovals and Grounds 22 Swimming Pools 26 Mobile Library 28 Public Halls 21 Others 0

Council offers at least fifty services for communities. No surveys indicated an awareness of all fifty services provided by Council. There were five Council services the Nyah District community felt are the most important to the future of the Nyah District community are 1) Garbage Collection/Waste Management, 2) Youth Services, 3) Maintenance of public amenities, 4) Aged-care Services and 5) Tourism

In general the Nyah district community felt that all the services that Council offers are important to the future of Nyah district. Ten questionnaires were able to list at least 25 or more services provided by Council, with eleven questionnaires identifying at least 20 or more and twenty-seven questionnaires identify less than 20 and two questionnaires identified less than three services provided by Council. It is recommended that Council raises awareness and promote the services that they provide to the wider community.

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6. NYAH DISTRICT COMMUNITY PLAN REVIEW PUBLIC MEETING The Nyah District Community Plan Public Meeting was held on Monday, 17 June 2013 at the Nyah Recreation Reserve Complex at 7.00 pm.

Nyah District Community Plan Beyond Tomorrow

Swan Hill Rural City Council, June 2013

The meeting was designed to clarify priorities identified through the questionnaire, identify focus groups for each new initiative and identify priorities to be undertaken in the next 12 months. It is also seen as necessary to obtain adoption or signed off on the reviewed plan by the community.

The Community Plan review public meeting covered the following

• Where we are

– Nyah District Community Plan – Results of the Questionnaire – Snap shot of the Nyah District’s Current Profile

• Where we want to be in the future – New Initiatives – Strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats – Focus for Beyond Tomorrow

• How we are going to get there – Nyah District Community Plan Beyond Tomorrow

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7. COMMUNITY PROFILE The community were also provide with a snap shot of the community profile from 2011censes data as below

The combined population of Nyah and Nyah West

Dwellings in the Nyah District

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The work force in the Nyah District

8. COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS Local community members spoke about some of the recent achievements throughout the Nyah District covering the following projects.

• Nyah Recreation Reserve • Youth Priorities • Men's Shed • Op Shop • A Healthy Community Program initiated by NDAG • Nyah District Action Group projects

The community were asked to identify new initiatives that they felt should be considered in the review of the Nyah District Community Plan and to select a theme that the initiative fits best with from the list which had been identified through the survey process or to suggest a new theme. There were only three new themes added to the list.

1. Land use planning – rezoning of farmland 2. Improve Signage 3. Funding connected to the community plan

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9. SWOT ANALYSIS Community members were asked to identify what they thought to be the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threads within the Nyah District. The following were identified.

Strengths within the Nyah District

River and environment Strong community input Our location and our country way of life Catered well for recreational activities Swimming pool Sport River Strong community spirit Nice/good people Group functions Clean up days Sports ground lighting People and welcoming attitude RV camp Business allow independent living Reserve Local delivery home service from P.O open 7 days in summer, and 6

days rest of the time Schools Clubs Sporting facilities Hotel Caravan parks Churches Low crime areas Location on river Cheap land Secure and safe community Irrigation Its people Great facilities It’s a tolerant and accepting community Open, welcoming community River as power source

Weaknesses within the Nyah District

To retain 18-30 year old people Loss of community events and funding

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Support new events Lack of police at Nyah West Poor drainage Lanes Youth projects Group activities Get youth involved in beautifying the towns i.e. artworks, gardening Poor signage, particularly river area Prickles, thistles- unpleasant when walking. Tourist complain to

information centre Swan Hill Not enough people involved Money wealth (not enough) Lack of local employment Advertise Stop putting down the district Tidy the district Strengthen community involvement Roads and kerbs need maintaining Come together as one community

Opportunities externally to the Nyah District

Upgrading our Rec Reserve and river environment Visiting us Continuing upgrade Sporting facility at Nyah RV campers Nyah Market Lions Club Action groups Use old stables for markets in inclement weather Lights at reserve Window dressing empty shop windows in Nyah AN Lewis Park usage for weddings, funerals, celebratory occasions Movie at Nyah West utilising street scope- sell it Get plants and people to plant them Positive community spirit Aging population who contribute well to our community Develop and promote the natural features of the district

Threats externally to the Nyah District

Lack of young population Loss of health services More police patrols Shopping to support local business by community Vandalism

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Young people are leaving district Population aging Towns die No tourism Assets take to Swan Hill/Lake Boga Need to engage all community members Water being sold out of the district Lack of opportunities for our young Complacency Lack of employment opportunities

10. KEE PAD SURVEY

To prioritise the information collected through the survey and at the public meeting. Community members were asked to participate in a keepad survey which provided instant results as listed below.

1.) Where do you live? (multiple choice) Responses

Nyah (in the township) 9 30% Nyah West (in the township) 6 20% Nyah (outside of the township) 6 20% Nyah West (outside of the township) 2 6.67% Vinifera 3 10% Other 4 13.33% Totals

30 100%

2.) What age group do you represent? (multiple choice)

Responses

0-4 yrs 0 0% 5–17 yrs 0 0% 18-24 yrs 0 0% 25-34 yrs 0 0% 35-44 yrs 2 5.71% 45-54 yrs 9 25.71% 55-64 yrs 7 20% 65-74 yrs 10 28.57% 75 + yrs 7 20%

Totals

35 100%

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3.) Prioritise these projects/ themes (priority ranking) Responses

Youth Priorities 118 11.43% Nyah Action Group 85 8.24% Nyah Recreation Reserve 165 15.99% Op Shop & Men’s Shed 84 8.14% Improve Streetscapes 80 7.75% Heritage 102 9.88% Promotion & Marketing 174 16.86% Infrastructure 100 9.69% Natural Environment 83 8.04% Physical Activities 41 3.97% Totals

1032 100%

4.) Which working parties would you join? (multiple choice)

Responses

Nyah Recreation Reserve 15 22.39%

Op Shop & Men’s Shed 6 8.96% Improve streetscapes 6 8.96% Heritage 10 14.93% Promotion & Marketing 9 13.43% Improve infrastructure 6 8.96% Natural Environment 4 5.97% Physical Activity 3 4.48% I don’t want to join a working party 8 11.94% Totals

67 100%

5.) Prioritise these new initiatives/ themes (priority ranking)

Responses

Land use planning – rezoning of farmland 330 32.58%

Signage 322 31.79% Funding connected to community plan 361 35.64%

Totals

1013 100%

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11. INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REVISED COMMUNIY PLAN Collation of the survey and community plan review public meeting information will support two community statements, twelve themes and a number of initiatives/actions to accompany each theme. These initiatives/actions can be used as a starting point for the focus groups as they plan their key achievements for the coming twelve months. Focus group members have also been identified for each project. Projects that were unable to find community members to drive the project on behalf of the wider community are included in the reviewed community plan but remain on hold until focus groups can be established. Community statements and projects are as follow. These projects have also been prioritised.

Community Statements

1. Youth Priorities – The Nyah District Community to support the youth to

identify and include a couple of youth projects within the community plan.

2. Continue to support the Nyah District Action Group’s Projects

Community Projects

1. Promotion and Marketing of the Nyah District

Initiatives/actions

Develop a website for business, tourism, sports clubs, community and infant welfare

Erect a sign for Nyah West Shopping District at Two Bays corner Nyah West Shopping Centre sign More active tourism promotion – pamphlets for individual

interests Information board that indicates where towns are and what

services they offer More information for tourists about the area Activities poster

Focus Group Members

Ian Brauer Len and Faye McPherson Kim Cross

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2. Investigate opportunities for the Nyah Recreation Reserve and Facilities Initiatives/actions

Development of a community use facility to commemorate 47 years of Harness Racing in Nyah

Erect “no camping” sign south of AN Lewis park to the pump station

Weed Nyah Recreation Reserve Plant a row of flowering eucalypts along the southern fence

of the Nyah Recreation Reserve as a memorial to first white settlers

Upgrade to the electrical outlets in the park Make fire places (circles of stones) for RV users so they

know where to light fires Concentrate on maintenance on Nyah Rec Centre Coin slot showers Solar power showers Continue to upgrade the Rec Reserve for committee use Power sites for RV park Toilet block for old campers at Rec Reserve Undercover market Gate access to pavilion Nyah Rec Reserve fenced playground area for infants 1.5

years Boat ramp needs concreting Red gum removal around Rec Reserve Community BBQ at Rec Reserve

Focus Group Members

Andrew Flanagan Rodney Duffy Steven Looney Bray Fleming

3. Celebrate our Heritage

Initiatives/actions

Restoration and bird-proofing the Nyah pumping station building and historic pump

Develop a heritage walk in Nyah and Nyah West Reactivation of the old historic irrigation pump at Nyah Helping owners of historical buildings shop fronts to revamp

and cleanup. Ensure heritage is not a burden to its owners

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Making use of our heritage river forest Information at front of old shop buildings in both Nyah and

Nyah West which indicates uses ownership and time period Upgrade old shops in Nyah West Clean up old buildings (make safe) Historical review of the horticultural industry

Focus Group Members

Jane Hanns Len and Faye McPherson Grace Willoughby

4. Improving Infrastructure Initiatives/actions

Re-sheet Chinkapook-Nyah West Road Turn old Nyah school ground into a park with grass and a

toilet, remove fences Reserve on the corner of Donald and Frederick Streets Improve house numbering on gutters Ensure buildings are structurally sound Lighting Two Bays corner Lighting at Nyah West Road work for (turning lane) turning into Nyah Rec ground

from Murray valley highway Nyah hall heating Light for bus at Two Bays in correct place Suggestions for restoring old football group (Nyah West) Nyah West Tennis club- New clubrooms Movies at Nyah West Build a skateboard ramp for the big children Develop a youth centre, small museum, internet café or

tourist information centre in the old empty buildings

Focus Group Members Rodney Duffy Steven Looney

5. Continue to support the Op Shop in Nyah West

Initiatives/actions

Renovation to the Op-Shop Focus Group

Anglican Church

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6. Continue to support the Men’s Shed in Nyah West

Focus Group Anglican Church

7. Improving our Natural Environment

Initiatives/actions

Rid footpaths and street reserves of weeds Removal of noxious weeds throughout district Clear burrs from walking areas Clean up roadside along Nyah West Road Clean up forest Clean litter from road ways Nyah & Vinifera forest need better management. Beautifying the side of Nyah West road New trees and shrubs Weeds

Focus Group Members

Kim Cross Rodney Duffy

8. Improve Streetscapes in Nyah and Nyah West* Initiatives/actions

Clean up empty shops Flower box in street

Focus Group Members

Celie Flanagan

9. Physical Activity*

Initiatives/actions

Seats along river walking track Bike track off the highway to Wood Wood and Piangil Improve/repair walking and cycling tracks (prickles) Support the swimming pool Concrete walk ways round Nyah Rec

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10. Funding* Initiatives/actions

Future funding for Nyah Rec ground Assistance from rural city with funding activities at Nyah

Rec ground Future funding for pool

11. Land Use Planning*

Initiatives/actions

Rezone un-used farm land for housing

Focus Group Members Leigh Paynter

12. Improve Signage*

Signage for Nyah West bowling club near Two Bays Signs for no camping areas Detailed information board for both towns at caravan area Business information signs for locals and tourists Community billboard near the river adjacent to Nyah Rec

ground. Highlighting what’s going on in the district Interpretive sign at toilets on highway- Map of all

directions in area More signage Renew ballard information plaque Sign to boat ramp on highway More information Aboriginal history area Signage for paddle steamer Maps of old town- Pinky’s Bend The flume- information, signage Camp site signage on the highway

12. CONCLUSION The participants at the Nyah district community plan review public meeting decided to roll over projects from previous plan and include information collected through the questionnaire and public meeting into the reviewed community plan. The community plan is to be finalised at the August 2013 Nyah District Action Group Meeting and copies of the adopted plan to be sent to residents in the Nyah District. Projects are to be implemented by those who volunteered to be on a focus group. Council’s Community Planning and Development Officer will support focus groups to come together to start their initial planning. It should be noted that other community members can join focus groups by informing the NDAG. Community

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members felt it was important to try and use the SWOT Analysis to strengthen our community and everyone agreed that the Nyah District Community Plan should be managed by the NDAG and the next community plan review to take place in 12-18 months. A copy of the Nyah District Community Plan can be found on Council’s website http://www.swanhill.vic.gov.au/services/forms/images/Nyah%20District%20Community%20Plan%20Beyond%20Tomorrow%20July%202013%20(1).pdf If you would like further information please contact Fiona Gormann Community Planning and Development Officer, Swan Hill Rural City Council on 5036 2333 or email fgormann@swanhill.vic.gov.au. This process uses a democratic model for decision-making, and in most cases, the majority vote will take precedence unless there is an illegal implication. Community planning encourages community participation and is open to all who would like to be involved in the process.