Please note: Councillors and Council employees are not eligible to register to be part of this Community Panel.

Who makes up this Community Panel?

You! This panel will consist of a diverse cross-section of our community to support Council with this work. If you live or run a business in Merri-bek, then please consider registering your interest.

You don’t need any special skills or knowledge to take part – just a willingness to work with others.

What will this Community Panel do?

Expert facilitators will support community panel members with different viewpoints to work together constructively and come to a shared position on the Community Vision and its implementation and make recommendations to Council.

When will the Community Panel meet?

The Community Panel will meet on three occasions in February 2025 and you would need to be able to attend all sessions.

All meetings will be held face-to-face at Coburg Town Hall.

Meals will be provided and each panel member will receive a gift voucher of $300 value in recognition of their time and commitment to being part of this process.

We want to make sure the panel is inclusive to anyone who is interested.

All meetings will be held face-to-face at Coburg Town Hall.

Meals will be provided and each panel member will receive a gift voucher of $300 value in recognition of their time and commitment to being part of this process.

The following supports will also be available if needed.

• Childcare
• Eldercare
• Dietary and culturally appropriate meals
• Language Interpreter
• Auslan Interpreter
• Transport
• Wheelchair access
• Accessible parking
• Large print materials
• Quiet spaces
• Women-only tables
• Prayer room

Please let us know in the registration form if you need these, or any other supports.

To minimise the risk of Covid-19 and other viruses:

• Masks and hand sanitiser will be made available to panel members
• Air purifiers will be running in the town hall.

Panel selection is being managed by an independent organisation, Deliberately Engaging.

Registration for the Merri-bek Community Panel closes at midnight on Sunday 15 December 2024.

After registrations close, the membership of the Community Panel will be selected through a random selection process to identify 44 panel members to reflect the diversity of the Merri-bek community.

If selected, you will be contacted by Deliberately Engaging via email to confirm you can still participate. You will then receive a follow-up call to tell you more about the Community Panel process and answer any questions you may have.

If you aren't selected initially, you will be placed on a waiting list until the 44 participants on the Community Panel are confirmed.

If you would like to be involved in other ways or stay up to date with the process hit the '+Follow' button at the top of this page.