The document discusses various ways that governments have successfully structured online consultations to get meaningful engagement and responses from the community. These include using plain language, embedding slideshows, video invitations, video vox pops, scenario-based questions, appreciative questions, and allowing participants to create their own discussion topics. It provides examples of consultations that used these techniques and the results in terms of site visits, comments, and document downloads. The overall message is that these techniques can make even complex consultations accessible and prompt thoughtful responses.

8. How do we
manage
the risks?

17. SECURE YOUR
SENSITIVE
CONTENT

19. MODERATION

22. Clear Copy “Calling all web teams, vendors and other
& Call to experts on government online - we're
looking for ways that New Zealand
Action government can improve online
information and services, make better use
of our limited resources and keep up with
change.”
The New Zealand
Government’s
Rethink Online site
demonstrated that
plain English and
straightforward
instructions can
make even the
www.rethinkonline.newzealand.
most complex govt.nz
consultation 3234 Site Visits
accessible. 1013 Visitors
100 Active Participants
146 Comments

23. Embedded
Slideshows
Embedding
slideshows in the
discussion forums
made it easy for
participants to
appreciate the
competition entries
for St Kilda
Botanical Garden
www.haveyoursayportphillip.
gates designs. net.au
2773 Site Visits
957 Visitors
267 Document Downloads

24. Video
Invitation
Warringah Mayor,
Michael Regan,
issued a personal
invitation by video
to Warringah
residents to get
involved in the
consultation about
their housing
strategy.
www.bangthetable.com/
futurehousing
8,400 Visits
2,800 Visitors
167 Comments
242 Document Downloads

25. Video
Vox Pops
Grafton Shire made
great use of video
vox pops with
community
members to get the
rest of the
community
involved in the
Library Service Plan.
www.bangthetable.com/
new-grafton-library
5,049 Site Visits
944 Visitors
176 Document Downloads

26. Submission
Sharing
The Office of the
Australian Minister for
the Arts used the
library to share more
that 22,500 of its
public submissions
with 3,800 people.
www.nationalculturalpolicy.com.au
13,245 Site Visits
12,227 Visitors
3,835 Downloaded Docs
22,545 Document Downloads

28. Open Open Question
What are your thoughts on the best way to structure the
Questions
entry fee and what do you think would be an
appropriate charge?
Broken Hill City Open Question
Do you have a view on the best way for recreational
Council got a swimmers, club swimmers and lap swimmers to share the
thoughtful response 25m and 50m pools?
to its Aquatic
Centre consultation Open Question
What new facility would you like to see incorporated into
by asking a series of the complex should extra funding become available?
open questions.
www.bangthetable.com/brokenhillpool
9,200 Visits
2,800 Visitors
92 Comments

29. Appreciative Appreciative Question
What are three things you like to do in the City of Melville
Questions
and why?
Appreciative Question
What ideas do you have to enhance the quality of life in
our local community?
The City of
Melville’s community
Appreciative Question
development team
asked their When people visit, what are you proud to show them in
your local community and why?
community to think
positively to help
inform their cultural
plan.
www.werelisteningmelville.com.au
2097 Site Visits
809 Visitors
146 Comments

30. Scenario
Is an offence that only risks a high level of
harm more or less serious than an offence
Based
that actually causes a lower level of harm?
Questions
Scenario 1 David throws a rock off a
freeway overpass into
moving traffic. The rock narrowly
misses the windscreen of a car and
Scenario based bounces to the side of the road. No
one is physically injured.
questions prompt
participants to Scenario 2 David punches Victor once in the
respond deeply to face, intending to injure him, Victor’s
face is bruised.
complex issues and
provokes thoughtful
dialogue.
www.talksentencing.vic.gov
.au
3775 Visits
1440 Visitors
218 Comments

31. Opening Up
Discussion
Topics
NSW National Parks
and Wildlife Service
has opened up the
potential of the
forums by letting
their stakeholder
community create
their own discussion
topics.
www.sydneyharbourpom.com.au
10,500 Site Visits
3,044 Visitors
348 Comments
1:6 Comment/Reply Ratio

32. USE TOOLS WITH
MEANINGFUL
REPORTS