Acting general manager, Steve Embry described the meetings as important forums for council to communicate with local communities, particularly since the merger.

The meetings, during April and May, will be held at 10 locations across the region.

They provide residents with the opportunity to meet and hear from members of council's management team and elected councillors, Mr Embry said.

"We recognise that the pace of life is busier than ever, and people can't necessarily get to our ordinary council meetings.

“By visiting a host of locations, we give people the chance for a regular catch-up in their own neighbourhoods, on current projects, local issues, and our future plans.”

A key theme on the agenda for the upcoming meetings is an update on MidCoast Council's progress to improve its customers' experiences.

"Merging has delivered a unique set of challenges, and 'business as usual' in terms of service delivery was our objective for the first year,” Mr Embry said.

“We've reached a stage now, where a number of projects are being implemented to integrate and improve the way we provide services and interact with customers.”

During the meetings MidCoast Council will outline changes implemented to improve customer service.

These improvements have included providing a single point for all council and water services, while plans are being investigated to improve access to information, particularly in the online environment.

"Our aim is to cover the things people are asking about, so the process and timing of the appointment of a new general manager, the potential office consolidation and relocation, and what's happening on our roads, are also key agenda items this time around.”

Residents in each community can expect to be updated specifically with council news on their local area, as the meetings are tailored by locality.

"This is an ideal opportunity for us to really understand what the issues, concerns, and opportunities are in each location, and update those in attendance on what we're doing on a local level.”

The community update meetings begin on Wednesday, April 18  in Taree, and will continue through to Wednesday, May 16 with a final session in Stroud.

For more information and to view the full schedule of locations, venues, dates and times, visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/communitymeetings

"One of our objectives for these meetings is to meet and hear from a broad cross-section of our community, and those people who don't regularly interact with council.

“That's why we encourage people thinking about coming to grab a friend, a neighbour or a young person and bring them along too.”

In the Great Lakes, meetings  will be held at: