Bang the Table

Here are just a few of the nice things people have said about us.

Kate Lewis, Warringah Council

EngagementHQ was easy, quick, cost effective and got us around many of the legal issues of liability. It provides more open and transparent access to information. The access to all docs and dated news items provides transparency through the process and retrospectively.

Anne Liddell, Alexandrina Council

I would recommend Bang the Table to any local government body looking to do a major project or reach community who may not be locally or town based – this is particularly relevant for regional Australia and coastal towns that have mobile populations. The service has been exceptional.

Jan Kilbourne, Mackay Regional Council

We are a mining city these days with much of our population on shift work. Using Bang the Table has enabled people to log on at any time, night or day, to have their say which has given us far greater response than could ever be gained in workshops or public meetings. We are also able to specifically target young people who would traditionally not have a voice in decision-making.

Gary Laidlaw, Environment Protection Authority (Victoria)

We choose Bang the Table because of its reputation, professionalism, ease of use [of its products], and support. I would recommend Bang the table to any business which needs to conduct an open, sustainable and accountable engagement process

Claire Hatch, Cultural Value (Melbourne)

We found that the consultation opened up to people of all kinds, including people who had lower levels of literacy, or couldn’t debate their opinion in face to face forums had a space online.  We took that as meaning that it was a truly democratic space

Chris Ford, FordComm (Newcastle)

There’s a saying that without data you are just another person with an opinion.  Bang the Table gives you hard data on the numbers of people participating in community debate and the ability to demonstrate that the loudest voice does not necessarily reflect the majority view. In one case the “high volume” of oposotiion turned out to be just two people… a fact revealed by the flexible, transparent consultation model set up by Bang the Table

Anne Bransdon, Broken Hill City (New South Wales)

What was a winner from our point of view was the simplicity of the actual site for our users.  Our community could navigate their way through the site without any particular issues, and that included people of all age groups and all levels of education.

Simon Adcock, Lismore City Council

Using Engagement HQ has meant that we are engaging the community more effectively than ever before.  Of course we’d tried traditional community engagement methods in the past – you know, public meetings, face to face – but we’d never gotten the numbers that the online forum is pulling in for us.  It’s the first time we’ve used online and it’s been great.

Max Hardy, Twyfords

Bang the Table is constantly revising and updating its features because they specialise in the online space. It really does give people a convenient opportunity to express themselves and can help everyone learn something new.

Community Member, Yarra Ranges Public Art Forum

Thanks for the support for this view… Usually when I voice this in public I get treated like a leper, so its good to actually be listened to and treated seriously.

Various Community Members, Lismore Council Rates Forums

RW 21 Mar 2010, 2:32 PM

I agree with KAYCE and VGG – Include a reply paid envelope for those not computer savvy – AND to have the online option to comment. This is the first time I have commented on Council Issues so thanks for the opportunity to comment.

kat 25 Feb 2010, 6:05 PM

I think this is a great opportunity and thank LCC for making it so obvious and easy to do. it was good to also give non-techies other opportunities to have their say. You have to give LCC points for setting up avenues to listen to what I am sure they knew would be a lot of complaints.

the sheeple 5 Mar 2010, 6:45 PM

this forum has shown all what a loud and powerful tool it can be for the average citizen.

johnea 3 Mar 2010, 9:41 AM

This method of consultation is more inclusive than most.

ando 9 Mar 2010, 1:02 PM

Clearly this form of consultation draws much more community involvement than a meeting held in the town hall.

Beebee 14 Mar 2010, 10:45 AM

I think it’s great to have a forum like this I wish it was permanent.

Joey 26 Feb 2010, 12:46 PM

I’m all for council saving my money by not spending a massive amount of money on reply paid postage. It’s not for free. I’m not interested in reading mail when I get home of a day, so an online forum is a champion way to have my say AND get educated.

Community Member, Subicao & Nedlands Regional Transition Forum

Subi 4 Nov 2010, 2:44 PM

I agree in part Invictus, but it appear to me as if this type of online consultation remains available then we may be heard more by Council and more people may participate in providing ideas and advice than currently do so.

It is not so much the number of representatives but the quality and diversity of representation, ideas and discussion that will ensure we move forward.

Community Member, Monash Smoking in Public Places Forum

Blowin in the Wide 25 October 2010, 10:42 AM

Incidentally Puffin I agree that online engagement is a good way for Council to connect with us…I hope they keep it up.

Community Member, Lake Macquarie Waste Management Forum

bigmac 24 Aug 2010, 7:59 PM

Lake Macquarie is by far the best place we have lived and opportunities for feedback such as these forums are really encouraging for us rate payers.