Council's Community Engagement Policy and Charter

Port Pirie Regional Council is adopting a new Community Engagement Charter following legislative changes. Under Charter requirements, Council will also review and adapt its Community Engagement Policy. Both documents are now open for public consultation.

Purpose of the Charter

The South Australia Local Government Community Engagement Charter (the Charter) replaces outdated consultation requirements under the Local Government Act 1999. It is designed to improve the way councils connect with their communities by providing a structured framework that councils must follow. This Charter ensures genuine community engagement when councils make key decisions, including budget planning, service delivery and policy development.

At Port Pirie Regional Council, we believe that community engagement is essential for building a vibrant and inclusive community. Our Community Engagement Policy outlines our commitment to ensuring Council decision-making is informed, transparent, accountable and reflective of our Community Plan and the new Charter with avenues for community input.

Port Pirie Regional Council's Community Engagement Policy and Community Engagement Charter are now open for public consultation and can be viewed below.

Port Pirie Regional Council's Draft Community Engagement Policy

Draft Community Engagement Charter

Key Features Of The Community Engagement Charter

Engagement Principles

The Charter outlines fundamental principles that guide councils in their engagement efforts, with a focus on transparency, responsiveness and inclusivity.

Categories of Consultation

The Charter has established five categories of engagement based on the differing levels of impact on communities, being:

• Significant – Annual Business Plan & Rating Policy

Decisions related to a Council’s adoption of its annual business plan or proposed changes to the basis of its council rates.

• Significant

Decisions that a council makes that have a significant impact on most or all ratepayers and residents, or the wider community or area.

• Standard

Decisions that a council makes that benefit from community input across the council area.

• Local

Decisions that impact an identifiable smaller group of residents/ratepayers or a local area.

• Inform

Matters where councils provide information to a community impacted by a decision.

Why Your Feedback Matters

Your feedback is essential in shaping how we communicate and consult with you. We want to ensure that everyone has a voice and that our engagement practices are transparent, meaningful, and effective.

Opportunities to Have Your Say

There are a number of ways to provide feedback:

• Online – complete the online feedback form below
• Email – send an email to council@pirie.sa.gov.au
• In writing – address submissions to PO Box 45, Port Pirie SA 5540 or deliver in person to the Council Administration Centre, 115 Ellen Street, Port Pirie or our branch office in Bowman Street, Crystal Brook.

All written submissions will be considered by Council prior to the adoption of the Community Engagement Policy.

Public consultation closes 5pm on Sunday 19 July 2026.