The Canberra Brickworks is a former industrial area in the Australian capital. Redevelopment of the site had become a divisive issue locally, and a community panel was convened to try and reach agreement on moving forward.
Problems and Purpose
The Canberra Brickworks Precinct is a former industrial in the south of the city with historical significance. Planned redevelopment of the area had previously failed twice and as a result, the community and stakeholders were wary and cynical [1].
The Land Development Agency (LDA) (the government department responsible for the site) convened a community panel to try a fresh approach to the site and any proposed developments. The aim of the panel was to work collaboratively with the LDA and each other to develop objectives to guide the redevelopment of the site, and to contribute towards the proposal and tendering process that would follow.
Background History and Context
This was the first time the ACT government undertook a deliberative style process [2]. Since then, it has convened a number of deliberative approaches including the ACT Compulsory Third Party Insurance Citizens' Jury.
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The panel was convened by the ACT government's Land Development Agency, and the deliberative process designed and facilitated by Mosaiclab.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Participants in the panel were selected from a range of stakeholders with an interest in the Brickworks Precinct. This included neighborhood associations, local council and business interests. Panellists were expected to represent the interests of these groups [3].
Methods and Tools Used
A community panel is comparable to a citizens’ jury, although this panel did not use a random stratified sample of citizens which is usually a key feature.
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
The panel met six times in a series of collaborative workshops. Mosaiclab facilitated the workshops and the process focused on the following:
- “encouraging agreement and keeping the focus (constantly bringing the group back to the to the purpose of the panel),
- exploring ways to work together differently to achieve the group's aims,
- listening to and involving everyone, acknowledging individual and collective concerns and hopes,
- giving the group time to reflect and not rushing the process,
- providing practical, clear instructions on how to work together towards a common goal particularly given past failures.
- creating the right environment for conversation was also essential (traditional boardroom-style meeting rooms were replaced with circular seating, giving citizens opportunities to collaboratively discuss their ideas and aspirations,
- encouraging panel members to show leadership by letting go of their own views, listening, being flexible and exploring issues supportively rather than in 'combat mode'”. [4]
The panel worked together with the LDA to develop a series of objectives that would be included in the request for proposals, which was then put out to potential developers.
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Following the panel process, the LDA developed a request for proposals based on the objectives developed by the panel. The panel then reviewed the five proposals that were put forward, assessing them against the criteria developed during the panel [5]. The potential contractors also met with the panel and further reviewed and refined the proposals. The successful tenderer was announced in October 2019 [6].
Analysis and Lessons Learned
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See Also
References
[1] Mosaiclab (2016). Case Study: Deliberating over an Iconic Issue. Available at: https://www.mosaiclab.com.au/news-all-posts/2016/8/11/case-study-canberra-brickworks-panel
[2] Ibid.
[3] ACT Government (2019). Canberra Brickworks Precinct Community Panel [pdf]. Available at: https://suburbanland.act.gov.au/uploads/ckfinder/files/pdf/3_Commercial/Canberra_Brickworks/community/Community%20panel%20handout%20-%20271115.pdf
[4] Mosaiclab (2016). Case Study: Deliberating over an Iconic Issue. Available at: https://www.mosaiclab.com.au/news-all-posts/2016/8/11/case-study-canberra-brickworks-panel
[5] ACT Land Development Agency Directorate (2016). Shortlisted Brickworks proponents embrace new consultation model. Available at: https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/lda/2016/shortlisted-brickworks-proponents-embrace-new-consultation-model
[6] ACT Government (2019). Brickworks reaches another milestone. Available at: https://suburbanland.act.gov.au/news/brickworks-reaches-another-milestone/767
External Links
https://www.mosaiclab.com.au/news-all-posts/2016/8/11/case-study-canberra-brickworks-panel
https://suburbanland.act.gov.au/canberrabrickworks/community-engagement
