---

This book tells the story of a rare and unique insight into a local government´s involvement of community in decision making. This is a "behind the scenes" exploration of the sometimes stormy interactions between Informal Society, Civil and Civic Society. The Informal Society was composed of residents of the Liverpool Local Government area, people from all walks of life. The Civil Society was made up of non-government organizations. And the the Civic Society consisted of government and business leaders. The many workshops, interviews and documents analyzed provided a stimulus for insightful relationships and the emergence of new models for Government engaging its citizens in the decision making processes. With a focus on sustainability and a deliberative inclusion of ordinary men and women in the decision making process, the Liverpool Partnership Project offers other government bodies and businesses a range of strategies aimed at successfully engaging the community in its civic development. This book contains a wealth of knowledge and invaluable accounts of, what was a ground breaking approach to linking, governance, participation and sustainability.

---

Dr Cesidio Parissi was born in Sydney of post war Italian Migrant parents. Sid lives in the beautiful and picturesque Blue Mountains where he helped raise three children with his wife. His main interests include exploring ideas and approaches that may change the world.

---