Council has created the Your Say Bathurst website to give residents another way to provide feedback on its projects and initiatives.

Mayor Gary Rush believes the website will allow for more meaningful discussion between council and the community.

“We have moved on from communication with the community being a one-way process,” he said.

“A true test of a vibrant community is its willingness to participate in decision making about its future and I know the Bathurst community will embrace this new platform to provide feedback on issues that council can use to help shape the community’s future.”

Residents have been given their first opportunity to use the new website with the 2016 Community Survey.

The survey asks residents to provide an assessment of the services and facilities provided to them by council.

They can also highlight what issues are important to them moving into the future.

Cr Rush said having the survey available online will mean residents can fill out the survey “at a time and place that suits them”.

“Council staff will also have the survey at Local Government Week activities next week and residents also have the opportunity to complete the survey in hard copy if they prefer,” he said.

To participate in the survey, visit www.yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au and create an account via the register button.

Registering with the site allows residents to receive advice and invitations to participate in new consultations and updates on existing consultations.

The 2016 Community Survey is open until August 26.

In addition to the survey, residents can use Your Say Bathurst to make submissions to council on a range of local issues from development applications to planning of parks and recreation facilities, cultural projects or the annual budget process. 

Online feedback will be used by council to form its decisions in conjunction with face-to-face consultations.

As an incentive to sign up to the Your Website Bathurst site before August 31, council is offering residents the opportunity to win an iPad or 10 x $100 Buy Local Gift Cards.