The Concourse, Chatswood

Community consultation for The Concourse commenced in 2000 and continued throughout the masterplanning phase, representing over ten years of debate and consultation culminating in a popular vote. The consultation program included five rounds of engagement comprising focus groups and open community workshops, and three masterplans with different functional arrangements were taken to full community consultation. A masterplan exhibition was held presenting construction staging plans and 3D computer models, and fjcstudio designed and facilitated a public exhibition to communicate the ideas, benefits and aspirations of the project to the wider community. Two public information sessions were held on the concept design.

This process culminated in a plebiscite held at local government elections that approved the progression of the development. During subsequent design phases, regular rounds of user group consultation with over 10 key user groups ensured functional excellence, while wider consultation with neighbours and Willoughby residents resulted in overwhelming community support for the project upon opening. Feedback was recorded through each design phase and reported back so participants could understand how their contribution had been considered, demonstrating the feedback loop that is central to maintaining confidence and value in an extended consultation process.