Reaching out to ratepayers for their help in protecting and maintaining assets can pay dividends.
But communicating effectively often calls for more than just a flyer in the mail or a ‘PS’ on the rates notice.
Not everyone may want to croon to their community like the man in this video, but if you get the urge, why not? At least the council concerned has come up with an innovative way of urging its community to tell them about fledgling potholes before they turn into full-grown craters. 
Often though, a public works department can harness the help of its community without resorting to theatre or costly strategies.
In fact, that very topic will come under the spotlight at IPWEA’s National Conference in Darwin during August, when Elia Twigg, Public Works Director for the City of Palm Bay in Florida, USA, addresses delegates.
The title of her presentation is “Connect with your community by advocating public works”.
She believes that although public works provides an essential service for local government, the sector often goes unrecognised.
Her goal is to collaborate with other public works leaders nationally and internationally in an effort to change that mindset amongst communities.
She is coming to Australia on a study tour to address those objectives, and the National Conference in Darwin will be just one part of her agenda.