COUNCILLORS have adopted the Baw Baw Shire’s new Communications Policy after its review was delayed by last year’s local government elections.
The 2013-2017 policy makes a number of minor adjustments to the 2011-2012 policy, but the scope and the bulk of the policy remain the same.
Changes include the rewording of the section on media interviews, which previously stated only the mayor or CEO could speak without approval of the CEO of communications unit.
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Changes were also made to the definitions of a number of council stakeholders, for example including mention of traditional owners in the description of who residents and ratepayers include.
A Baw Baw Shire Council spokesperson told The Warragul Citizen the introduction of the new policy was delayed by last year’s elections.
“The first Communications Policy was adopted in April 2011 with a review date of April 2012,” the spokesperson said.
“A decision was made to postpone the review of the policy until after the Council was elected in October 2012.”
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North ward councillor Deborah Brown said the policy guided internal communication and connected to the media policy.
“This policy will allow the council to manage the flow of information in the organisation and the many different communities of Baw Baw,” Cr Brown said.
“It is important to ensure that timely information is distributed by the council.
“This policy compliments our media policy and is one way to show we are community-focused.”
Click here to view the 2011 policy.
Click here to view the 2013 policy.
