This document outlines a workshop on community engagement in floodplain management. The objectives are to understand how to use community engagement, practice engagement methods, design an engagement plan, and communicate flood information non-technically. The program includes briefing, community profiling, engagement methods, choosing methods, designing plans, and non-technical communication. Community is defined as a locality, sense of belonging, and social network. Community engagement allows community feedback to influence decisions. Engagement approaches discussed include participatory mapping, oral histories, surveys, listening posts, and World Cafes.
2. Workshop objectives
To understand the potential use of community engagement in
the floodplain management process
To practise a range of community engagement methods
suitable to the floodplain management process
To design a community engagement plan
To communicate flood information in non-technical terms for
a community audience.
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3. Workshop program
Briefing
Community profiling
Our experiences
Practise six engagement methods
Choosing appropriate engagement methods
Designing community engagement plans
Non-technical communication
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4. What is a community?
Community as a locality
- At-risk population (residents, businesses, vulnerable people etc.)
- Others indirectly impacted
Community as a shared sense of belonging
Community as a social network
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5. What is community engagement?
"There is no widely accepted definition of
community engagement and the meaning can vary
in different contexts."
“Community engagement allows community
members to actively contribute to Council decisions
and actions by creating an inclusive environment in
which community feedback is embraced, considered
and acted upon.”
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7. Managing the Floodplain Guide
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“Public consultation is an important element of
understanding and managing flood risk. It can facilitate:
understanding of flood behaviour by tapping into
community knowledge on historic floods
informing the community of the flood threat they
face and how and when to react to this threat
developing sustainable floodplain management plans
that have broad community support.”
8. Community engagement
requirements
Flood studies – one phase
Collect data, flood experiences
FRMS & P – three phases
1. Flood issues, experiences,
calibrate maps, possible options
2. Review selected management options
3. Public exhibition of draft FRMS & P
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13. Community profiling
Data sources include:
Census statistics
Prior social research e.g. community surveys conducted by local councils and
other organisations
Social research and community engagement for the project
Insights from local council community development and engagement staff
Insights from local emergency agency staff including volunteers
Social network analysis – this can be done at a rudimentary level by
investigating community groups and other networks listed in the local
council’s community directory.
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