• Making a public comment on an agenda item
• More information

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.

STRATEGY AND POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE

Asking a question in Public Question Time

At each Strategy and Policy Review Committee 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. Public Question Time is limited to 20 minutes unless the meeting resolves to extend this time.

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 included as an attachment to the minutes.

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

• At this Ordinary Council meeting Public Question Time is on the agenda for members of the public to ask direct question/s.  Questions should be directed to the Chairperson. Public Question Time is limited to 20 minutes unless the meeting resolves to extend this time.

• The Meetings Procedure Local Law requires that questions must not relate to a matter beyond or outside the Council's powers, be defamatory, indecent, abusive, objectionable in language or substance, nor 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 included as an attachment to the minutes.

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

• Where an Ordinary Meeting of Council is hearing submissions as part of a process under section 223 of the Local Government Act, any person who has made a written submission to that section 223 process is entitled to address Council.
• Apart from the above, any other public comment to an agenda item at an Ordinary Meeting of Council will occur at the discretion of the Chairperson.
• 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.
• Each speaker will have up to 3 minutes to comment to an agenda item. 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.

SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL

Making a public comment on an agenda item

• Where a Special Meeting of Council is hearing submissions as part of a process under section 223 of the Local Government Act, any person who has made a written submission to that section 223 process is entitled to address Council.
• Apart from the above, any other public comment to an agenda item at a Special Meeting of Council will occur at the discretion of the Chairperson.
• 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.
• Each speaker will have up to 3 minutes to comment to an agenda item. 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.

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

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

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

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