HOLISTIC APPROACH

IN response to the article “Clarence Council vows to tackle undelivered promises” (July 11), I think there is a misconception that just because a masterplan is developed, construction will soon follow.

However, as the public and councillors have highlighted – this typically doesn’t happen. In my

experience of developing masterplans in local government, the purpose of strategic planning is to look at future development holistically, rather than ad hoc.

When done well, masterplans provide an opportunity for the council, community and key stakeholders to develop what is essentially a blueprint that guides future development a physical space or program.

Once the plan is endorsed by council, it’s a matter of securing the necessary funding to implement the plan.

When it comes to plans that include infrastructure development, they are merely conceptual and the actual cost of implementing

the plan is speculative. The real cost of building infrastructure only becomes apparent once detailed design has been completed.

It is then up to council staff to pursue projects and secure the funding and support of executive leaders and elected members.

The community can influence which projects get funding (either through capital project funding or by nominating particular projects for grants) by lobbying their elected members when annual budgeting commences.

If there is a particular masterplan you want to see implemented, contact council officers and your elected members and let them know about it. My point is, just

because a masterplan is developed, it doesn’t mean anything will change in the foreseeable future. Bree Hunter Sandford