Case study | Using Community Views to Shape Clarence 2035

Clarence Valley Council’s strategic plan, The Clarence 2035, sets out a bold, community-driven vision for the region’s future, underpinned by the principle of shared ownership. A cornerstone of this plan is the Community Views Survey (Oct–Nov 2024), which provided critical insight into local priorities and directly influenced both the strategic direction and the measurement framework of the plan. This mirrors a similar approach taken by Northern Beaches Council in NSW, where community insights are not only used to inform policy but also to evaluate progress over time.

How Community Views Informed the Strategic Direction

The Community Views Survey was commissioned to gather a representative understanding of the Clarence Valley community’s views across a broad spectrum of issues. Delivered by .id – Informed Decisions through 526 online surveys with Clarence Valley residents (insights and data available HERE), the survey explored topics such as:

• Community values and liveability
• Health and wellbeing
• Housing and affordability
• Environmental and climate change concerns
• Ideas for improving quality of life

Key findings shaped the structure and themes of the plan:

• Health services were identified as a critical concern, particularly for the ageing population.
• Climate resilience emerged as a vulnerability, with preparedness for natural disasters rated as highly variable.
• Affordable and decent housing, while relatively strong compared to national benchmarks, is becoming harder to access, particularly for renters.
• The region’s diversity and intergenerational differences highlighted the need for a plan that could be responsive across demographic groups.

Using Community Views to Monitor Progress

The Community Views survey results are embedded in the monitoring and evaluation framework that tracks progress. Several of the Community Strategic Plan’s (CSP) performance indicators are sourced directly from the Community Views Survey and are intended to be updated in future waves. For example:

• Sense of community (baseline: 7.0/10)
• Affordable, decent housing (baseline: 4.7)
• Health services satisfaction (baseline: 4.8)
• Job prospects and education opportunities (4.7 and 5.2 respectively)
• Environmental satisfaction (e.g. protection of biodiversity: 3.2)

These measures are tied to specific objectives under each strategic theme, allowing Council to assess change over time and respond dynamically through the Delivery Program and Operational Plan. A State of the Valley report is planned at the end of each council term to evaluate long-term community outcomes. 

Positioning Clarence as a Community-Centred Council

Clarence Valley has committed to transparency and regular engagement through a multi-method consultation strategy. In addition to the Community Views Survey, a broad Clarence-wide engagement process and a targeted Community Satisfaction Survey were used to triangulate and validate the CSP’s direction.

The result is a Council Plan that is not only reflective of the community’s current values but also capable of adapting to change. As future Community Views data becomes available, Council will be able to continuously benchmark its impact, ensuring that the community’s voice continues to guide local government investment and advocacy efforts. 

Want to find out more?

Community Views is an independent, robust and repeatable community survey that helps local councils and other organisations to credibly, comprehensively and efficiently represent their community’s views and needs in policy and advocacy. Book an introduction here.