How Council Meetings Work

Council Meetings

Council meetings commence at 5.30pm and are formally governed by the Local Government Act 1989 and Council’s meeting procedure local law. Whilst visitors are able to observe the meeting, councillors, when speaking, will always address the Mayor – who chairs the meeting. This is not out of disrespect to everyone in the meeting room – it is out of respect to the Mayor and the role of chairperson in these meetings.

Councillors declaration of interests

Under the Local Government Act 1989, the councillors must declare a conflict of interest – this is defined within the Act. Councillors will declare their interests at the beginning of the meeting here, and then will again declare at the item and remove themselves from discussion and decision making for this item. They will then return after the decision is made.

Community Participation Time

Community members are able to lodge written questions and provide submissions to the Council (see the Community Participation Time Policy for further information).

Reports to Council

Council officers submit reports requesting decisions and direction from Council, or in order to inform the Council on strategic or performance matters.  Planning applications may be called into Council by Councillors instead of being determined by planning officers.

Council officers provide the Council with a recommendation and the facts of the matter for their consideration. Councillors are able to move this recommendation as a motion, or can move another motion that they feel is in the better interests of the community and longer term goals of the council and community. 

Closing the meeting to the Public

Under the Local Government Act 1989, the Council can elect to close a meeting to the public, to hear an item(s) for the following reasons only:

• personnel matters
• personal hardship of any resident or ratepayer
• industrial matters
• contractual matters
• proposed developments
• legal advice
• matters affecting the security of Council property
• any other matter which the Council considered would prejudice the Council or any person
• a resolution to close the meeting to members of the public.