Client:
Hunters Hill Council
Project Overview:
Hunters Hill Council secured $4.75 million in state government funding for the upgrade of Figtree Park. Following initial engagement activities to gather feedback, the council sought to address a particular area of contention: the potential relocation of an existing croquet club.
This relocation was proposed in one of the two concept designs crafted by architects. The crux of the debate lay between the croquet club members, who preferred to remain in their current location, and certain community members who believed that relocating the club could free up space for young families and a range of other activities.
Objective:
Our primary goal was to gauge wider community sentiments on this project, beyond the dominant voices of those closely involved. We aimed to establish a citizens panel consisting of a demographically representative sample from the community, allowing us to ascertain a holistic perspective.
Our Role:
Captivate Consulting was tasked with:
- Methodology Design: Our first task was crafting an approach to enlist a demographically varied group for a one-day citizens panel.
- Outreach Strategy: Given the demographic profile of the region, we opted for a more traditional outreach method. By conducting a letterbox drop and offering an incentive in the form of a gift voucher, we successfully attracted a diverse group of 40 participants from various backgrounds.
- Facilitation: Navigating the challenges presented by a single-day session and pre-existing architectural designs, we successfully facilitated a consensus among the diverse panel members.
Challenges:
- Time Constraint: The single-day timeline for deliberation was undoubtedly constraining, particularly given the complexity of the decision-making.
- Pre-set Architectural Designs: The two pre-existing concept designs made some panel members feel confined in their decision-making.
Outcome:
Despite the challenges, the panel reached a consensus, overwhelmingly favoring the retention of the croquet club in its existing location. However, there was a strong emphasis on ensuring the space was adapted for multi-use, low-impact recreational activities, ensuring it wasn’t exclusively for the croquet club. Additionally, the significance of preserving the park’s heritage was highlighted.
Why Captivate Consulting:
Captivate Consulting’s ability to devise a methodology catering to broad demographic representation was instrumental in the project’s success. Despite the tight timeline, we achieved consensus among a diverse group in just a single day. While the outcome was fruitful, we recognized the potential benefits of extended engagement sessions for similar future projects.
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