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Community Consultation

Leonora Cemetery Project

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Entrance to the Leonora Cemetery Feb 2010

LEONORA CEMETERY

............community consultation + design

PAUL TRINIDAD

STAGE 1
MARCH 2010

I was asked to prepare a creative statement in response to request by Leonora Council in February 2010.
I prepared an executive summary (attached) and met with the council member on 6 Feb 2010.
Council moved to support continued design development and community consultation.

This brief documents initial consultations and intended community consultation toward developing a design plan.

PROJECT BRIEF AND TIMELINE

BACKGROUND
The Leonora Cemetery is located on the South East side of Leonora, the entrance road is adjacent to the Gwalia turn off and about 1 km in off the main road.
The cemetery is the resting place of many miners and associated immigrant workers related to the Sons of Gwalia mine. There are many Australians and Aboriginals buried in the cemetery. The cemetery is becoming increasingly important as a heritage site.
The turn off is marked with a standard road sign and is not indicative of an ‘entrance statement’.
The existing entrance gate to the cemetery is very old and in a state of neglect.
Leonora communit has an emerging pride and sense of responsibility to upkeep and upgrade the site and its appearance.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
I was delighted that the council endorsed the idea of community consultation + design process. This underpins a shared sense of significance not only of the site but the opportunity to gauge community support thru a consultative process.

Initial conversations with councilors, interested locals including long time Leonora and Gwalia residents, the headmaster from the District High School Mr Greg Fisher, and indigenous community health workers Geraldine Hogart and Cheryl Cotterill confirmed there is rich interest and diversity to be gained from a consultative process. These are some of the initial responses related to the preliminary design brief as presented to the council:
1.         Questions raised on the use of stone in relation to traditional indigenous beliefs.
2.         Development of facilities on the site (eg toilet).
3.         Production of didactic information placards.
4.         Production of map with names and grave locator.
5.         Development of iconography relative to Indigenous/pastoral/mining/and towns people.

KEY QUESTIONS:
1.         Why does Leonora cemetery need a new entrance?
2.         When will construction of the entrance statement begin and when will it be complete?
3.         What is involved with the refurbishment of the existing entrance?
4.         Does the Council have a preferred option?
5.         Will the community be consulted before finalizing the preferred option?
6,         Will there be any inconvenience for funerals during installation?
7.         Will there be any affects to the natural environment in the area?

PURPOSE OF CONTINUED COMMUNITY CONSULTATION AND FEEDBACK:
1.         What are the perceived heritage characteristics special for Leonora/Gwalia?
2.         Current Entry statements – (from South entrance) Mt Leonora – Poppet heads at Gwalia turn off – Battery – Crane Hire?
3.         What are the local community needs – toilets etc?
4.         Budget – is there other money to be applied for to continue developing the Project?
5.         Awareness of – developing pride and honour in the cemetery – the Cemetery Project?

CONSULTATIONS:
Community involvement and methodology to show the design development process, including documentation of consultation.
Council (mining pastoral – business?)
District High School (kids – parents – teachers)
Health workers (elderly – unwell)
Indigenous representation
Old people
Groups Associations

PURPOSE:
To create community awareness of the project.
To understand community issues, values and concerns that relate to development and design of the project.
To seek and value community input.
To provide education – awareness of the project.
To gain awareness of local knowledge and history.

MEETINGS:
Meetings will be arranged and held between the project team and various groups and individuals between March and April:
At this point I have identified
Headmaster
Health workers
Council
Long term local residents
Who will advise me on several specific groups individuals>

ACTION:
Spreading the word – who is the target for information gathering and dissemination?
Local resident                                                   Local business
Associations - Community groups                      Local interest group
Local Council                                                    State Govt agencies
Transport workers                                              Other groups

SUGGEST:
Community centre promotion/Community information session exhibition – June- July 2010

An informal exhibition /display to be opened by Shire Clerk and attended by interested individuals/groups
Display to be left up for 2 weeks for comment.

Press release – target Kalgoorlie newspapers and local newsletter – Shire website.

Comments book at the exhibition – feedback via web site – email or regular mail invited

STAGE 2:
APRIL 2010
LEONORA COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

The Leonora Shire Council made a commitment to initiate a process of community consultation toward developing a new entrance at the Leonora cemetery.

At the core of the engagement are the tenants of trust, goodwill and respect. Good consultation will support and strengthen trust within the community as well as consolidating goodwill and respect between Council and the community.

This website has been developed to assist with information sharing and information regarding the process of consultation in Leonora. It will also provide additional information about terms of reference and design development.

Any questions or feedback can be directed either directly to the Shire of Leonora or to myself Paul Trinidad via email.

or via:

Leonora Shire Council
16 Tower Street
(PO Box 56)
Leonora WA 6438
Phone: 08-90376044
Fax: 08-90376295

Potential Site for Public Artwork - Public Art Entrance Statement

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION TERMS OF REFERENCE

Community consultation is an important way for the Leonora Shire Council to survey the opinions of local ratepayers and residents on a range of issues. In this instance the development of a new entrance and possible future plan for developments at the Leonora Cemetery
This process is open communication, transparent and is intended to engender a sense of equity, openness and fairness within the community.
To assist with the general understanding of what community consultation is, note the following points.

the process of sharing information is in itself a tool, not a solution
the purpose of the process needs to be shared in a transparent way
the process of consultation is open, the outcome may vary.
the process will effect outcomes through influence rather than power
the process is designed to assist with decision-making, it is not joint decision-making or decision-making by referendum. Council is elected to make decisions
good processes will include a representative voice from the broader community and relevant stakeholders
good process will seek the views of those who may not usually have a voice, young people, old people, youth, minority groups etc
good process will assist with good decisions. Good process will seek diversity, good knowledge, it will investigate alternatives, push boundaries, evaluate strengths and weaknesses, recognize common interests and differences, identify common ground as well as difference of opinion.
The process will not necessarily give the final decision, rather it will inform it, it should avoid creating unrealistic expectations in the community.

An initial design to 'get the ball rolling' interprets ideas of cooliman/panning off dish obelisk, headstones and gateways. This scheme will be modified after initial consultation indicates the stones may be problematic for indigenous beliefs.