Request to address Council

Trial changes:

At its General Meeting on 24 February 2025, Council resolved to trial changes to Open and Public Forums, in an effort to improve governance, transparency and participation. 

Open and Public Forums will now occur one week prior to General Council Meetings, allowing more time for consideration of public feedback, ahead of decision-making. 

During the trial period, Open and Public Forums will not occur at the General Council Meeting itself. 

Open and Public Forums will take place from 6pm to 7pm, with registrations to speak closing at noon, two business days prior to the forum’s scheduled date. 

This new format for Open and Public Forums will also improve accessibility, with speakers able to attend either in person or online. 

These changes aim to align our processes with current best practices for public participation in Local Government.

Request to address Council

Methods of addressing Council

  • Open Forum (Matters not on the agenda):
    • Addresses must not relate to an item on the agenda.
    • A person wishing to address Council must identify the topic they wish to speak on.
    • Addresses must be limited to three (3) minutes.
    • Open Forum provides an opportunity to address only. It is not a forum for debate or response from Councillors.
  • Public Form (Matters on the agenda):
    • Addresses must relate to an item on the agenda.
    • Addresses must be limited to three (3) minutes.
    • Addresses should be made to the Chairperson.
    • If you have previously addressed the Council on the subject, then any further address must be made to present new information ONLY.
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