Two broad categories of consultation approaches are suggested
It should be noted that all these methods are not presented necessarily as "stand-alone" options, but should be considered as part of a
consultation plan which reflects
principles of good consultation.
Traditional Methods:
This group includes conventional methods that have been used over time and often, such as questionnaires and public meetings.
New and innovative:
The new and innovative sub-group methods have been developed more recently and are becoming more widely used, such as charettes, community cultural development techniques and e-consultation.
Information has been compiled by the VLGA and the Local Government Division from key practitioners working in or around local governments using different methods in their work to serve as an introduction to a full set of methods.
- Community Panels
- Citizen Panels
- E-Consultation
- Hypothetical
- Community Cultural Development Techniques
- Large Group Methods:
These approaches are often used for consultation on complex and/or strategic issues. They can accommodate dozens to hundreds of participants and have been used successfully over many years in business and community settings in Australia and overseas. Examples of this form of consultation include:
- Combinations of methods for large strategic exercises:
Depending on the scope or complexity of an issue or project and importantly the resources available a range of consultation methods can be employed to maximum effect. The choice and combination should be carefully thought through during the consultation planning phase.