Meetings & Agendas
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Asking Questions at Council Meetings

There are several ways to participate in and have your say at council meetings.

Council and committee meetings are open to the public (except during the consideration of confidential items). You can participate by coming along and listening.

You may have something to say about a particular issue being considered by the council. You can participate by making a request to be heard.

You may have a question for the council. You can participate by asking that question.

Asking a question in Public Question Time

At each meeting, provision is made at the beginning for members of the public to ask direct question/s.  Questions must be directed to the Chairperson of the meeting.

The question must not relate to a matter beyond or outside the Council's powers, be defamatory, indecent, abusive, objectionable in language or substance, raise any matter which will or would likely to be considered by Council under s89(2) of the Act.

Each question will be recorded in the minutes. Responses to questions provided at the meeting will be recorded in the minutes. Responses to questions taken on notice will be made publicly available on the Council website.

The number of questions that a member of the gallery may ask shall be at the discretion of the Chairperson.

Making a public comment on an agenda item

  • Public comment is for members of the public to make comment on agenda items and proposals. The Meetings Procedure Local Law does not allow direct question/s during public comment on agenda items.  Members of the public are asked to focus on the agenda item under consideration.
  • A brief summary of the speaker's comments will be recorded in the minutes. 
  • Please nominate a single speaker if there are several people representing a common position.
  • The Chairperson of the meeting will endeavour to bring forward items where there are numerous speakers.
  • When your item is called you will be invited to step forward and address the Council.

 

Request to speak at a council/committee meeting 
You can also make a request to speak before the meeting by completing the online form.

Question to council
You can also submit a question before a meeting by completing the online form.

To ensure that your question is received, please submit it prior to 4pm on the day of the meeting.

If you require any further information in relation to the conduct of theses meeting, please contact the Council's Statutory Functions Unit on telephone 9209 6762.

More information

For more information contact Statutory Functions via eServices or phone (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713.