Decision making in communities 

There are 4 major influences on decision making in communities that can used to help determine the outcome of the decision, these include:

1. Legislation 

When a law is passed by the government it is then known as LEGISLATION.

Legislation will guide and influence community decisions. There are local government, state government and Commonwealth / Federal government laws that communities must consider when making decisions. The reason that legislation exists is to protect or support community members. If a decision is going to be made which will affect the wellbeing of community members it is the influence of legislation that may prevent the decision. Legislation will protect the rights of community members and in doing so enhance or maintain community wellbeing.  Some legislation goes against the beliefs of a group or groups in the community. Most community decisions are made based on the current laws, however, due to progress and change i the community there are times where the laws are changed to more accurately represent the community's needs and wants. 

2. Environmental Factors 

Human activity can impact on the environment, so it needs to be considered whenever a decision is to be made. By protecting the environment, we are also protecting the wellbeing of community members. There is legislation in place that protects the environment (Environment Protection Act), which in turn influences community decisions. The protection and management of the physical environment is the responsibility of government, community-based groups and owners of properties. Environmental issues relate to pollution, recycling and energy conservation. Historical buildings, streetscapes, parks and gardens, and places of historical significance are also preserved and protected by heritage legislation. This means that councils and community decisions would need to consider the impact on the environment before making a decision.

3. Lobbying 

Lobbying is when an individual or group contacts a member of the government in an attempt to influence a decision. 

People form lobbying groups to get their point across. The more people who express concern about an issue the more likely action will be taken. Groups can apply pressure by being organised, knowing the facts and being well informed about the issues, by providing alternatives and showing how decisions may affect current and future generations, lobbying groups can influence decisions. Gaining community petitions by getting a list signed by people who care or are concerned about a particular issue and giving it to a particular group making the decision. For example developing a petition to stop the heritage building getting demolished, as it is a local icon

Lobby groups use a variety of methods to gain exposure for example applying pressure to consumers to support their cause (i.e. environmentally friendly products), community forums (to inform members of the facts), rallies, media exposure, elaborate stunts (abseiling buildings to hang banners, climbing aboard a warship, protest walks), or prepare petitions to present to members in parliament.

4. Protesting 

Protesting can be defined as: an expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid: a protest against increased taxation.

The National Capital has many public places where people can exercise their right to communicate their opinions and ideas through peaceful protests and demonstrations. Our democracy recognises this right which is subject to the general law and must be balanced against the rights and interests of others and of the community as a whole.

Of paramount importance are the protection of public safety, the maintenance of peace and the facilitation of fair and equal access to public areas. 

Like lobbying it gains exposure for the issue, expresses community concern and can at times attempt to physically stop some kind of work going ahead, eg if people chain themselves to a tree or building that is being demolished. They may also disrupt traffic by blocking streets or causing police to block the area due to safety concerns, eg if the person is climbing the Harbour bridge or hanging from a tall building with a sign.  This disruption is intended to gain attention from individuals and from the media to make their message more widely heard. Not all protests are disruptive some can be done in a way to just be seen and heard by engaging large numbers of people walking or sitting in an area to show their dissatisfaction. 

Alternative questions- Covid

https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/information/covid19-legislation

1. Explain the current legislation for people in the Cumberland council area

2. In 2021 we saw a protest in the city around covid restrictions in Sydney- Explain how and why people were protesting.

Read the following abstract

Environmental effects of COVID-19 pandemic and potential strategies of sustainability

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is affecting every part of human lives, including the physical world. The measures taken to control the spread of the virus and the slowdown of economic activities have significant effects on the environment. Therefore, this study intends to explore the positive and negative environmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, by reviewing the available scientific literatures. This study indicates that, the pandemic situation significantly improves air quality in different cities across the world, reduces GHGs emission, lessens water pollution and noise, and reduces the pressure on the tourist destinations, which may assist with the restoration of the ecological system. In addition, there are also some negative consequences of COVID-19, such as increase of medical waste, haphazard use and disposal of disinfectants, mask, and gloves; and burden of untreated wastes continuously endangering the environment. It seems that, economic activities will return soon after the pandemic, and the situation might change. Hence, this study also outlines possible ways to achieve long-term environmental benefits. It is expected that the proper implementation of the proposed strategies might be helpful for the global environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Environmental assessment, Environmental pollution, Environmental management, Environmental sustainability, COVID-19, Public health, Lockdown, GHGs emission, Biomedical waste

3. What environmental considerations should the Australian government be making based on the research above?

4. What might the following groups be lobbying the Government to change relating to the current covid situation?

PSA - Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Australian constructors Association

1. Arbitration 

• Process that seeks to resolve a dispute.  Occurs when two parties cannot decide on an outcome to their issue, so they employ the skills of an arbitrator to decide. 

• Evidence presented by both parties . The arbitrator goes through the process of hearing arguments from both sides. 

• Discussion made by arbitrator → decision is legally binding. 

• . In Australia, arbitration has been commonly used for the construction, infrastructure, and energy and natural resources projects. More recently, its use has spread into sectors that traditionally opted for litigation, including big tech, the pharma industry, corporate and mergers and acquisitions disputes, and banking and finance.

• For example: an arbitrator might be called in to deal with a family conflict where a couple who have decided to seperate cannot decide on how to divide their assets or who should have custody of the children. 

2. Consensus 

• Aims to include everyone in the decision- making process. 

• Consensus decision making is normally used for larger, more complex decisions that need to be discussed. 

• Although there is a leader in this process, the leader does not make the decision on their own. Everyone in the group is involved

• Opinions are discussed and any objections are resolved so that widespread agreement is achieved without taking a vote. 

• Aiming for a win win outcome. 

• For example: this process could be used within a group of friends trying to decide on a movie that everyone in the group wants to watch. 

3. Election/ voting 

• The election process gives individuals an opportunity to express their views and to be involved in the decision making process by voting for one option over another. 

• A vote is a formal expression of an individual's choice in a decision- making process. 

• For example: voting for the next school captain or new Prime Minister. 

4. Referendum 

• Vote to change the constitution. Referendums are usually called by government in relation to laws and policies that they believe need to be changed. The Australian Constitution may only be changed by referendum. 

• Referendums are a democratic way to make a decision, however, referendums relate to specific proposals rather than to candidates. 

• Change can only come about if there is a double majority vote. This means that more than 50% of the population have the same vote in four or more states (four out of seven states= over half). 

• Differs from a regular vote where it is “first past the post”. 

• Same process as election/ voting. 

Individual Activity

What were the first Referendums in Australia about?

What was the subject of the 1999 referendum ?

Why would the government choose to put some decisions to a referendum and not others?

Badgery's Creek Airport

In groups, read aloud the following articles and research the Badgery's Creek Airport. Complete the questions to examine the decision and some of the implications for local residents. 

1. What factors influenced the decision making process? (legislation, lobbying, protesting, environmental factors). Briefly explain how these factors were used. 

2. What processes were employed to make the decision? (arbitration, consensus, voting/election, referendum).