Overview
At the Monday 27 October 2025 Ordinary Meeting, Council endorsed the draft Code of Meeting Practice to go on public exhibition.
The draft Code has been updated to align with the 2025 Model Code of Meeting Practice for NSW Councils, released by the Office of Local Government in August 2025. The new model code introduces changes to:
- Meeting procedures
- Livestreaming requirements
- Councillor attendance by audio-visual link
- Updated rules for debate, conduct, and public forums.
The draft Code of Meeting Practice incorporates all mandatory provisions required under the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, along with Council-specific provisions that strengthen transparency, accessibility, and good governance.
The document is on public exhibition for 28 days from Tuesday 28 October to Tuesday 25 November 2025, with public submissions invited until 9 December 2025.
Following the exhibition period, a further report will be presented to Council addressing all submissions received and recommending the final Code for adoption before 31 December 2025.
Documents
Summary of changes
Key Changes Introduced in the 2025 Model Meeting Code are outlined below.
| Area | Key Changes |
| Meeting Procedures | Mayor may call extraordinary meetings without Councillor signatures. New process for urgent business requiring recorded reasons for inclusion. |
| Business Papers | General Manager must publish business papers from closed meetings once no longer confidential. |
| Pre-Meeting Briefings | Prohibited for any agenda business once the Code is adopted. |
| Public Forums | Optional for councils, but if held, must be livestreamed and conducted prior to the meeting. Council is awaiting further guidance from the Office of Local Government, however propose to hold the forum immediately prior to the scheduled Council Meeting. |
| Attendance & Audio-Visual Links | Councillors may attend by audio-visual link only in cases of ill-health, medical conditions, or unforeseen caring responsibilities. |
| Livestreaming | Mandatory from 1 January 2026. Recordings must remain online for 12 months or for the duration of the Council term, whichever is longer. |
| Conduct & Etiquette | New non-mandatory requirements for dress standards, standing provisions and prescribed modes of address. |
| Mayoral Minutes | May now be submitted on any matter without notice. |
| Rules of Debate | Simplified procedures including removal of foreshadowed motions and five-minute minimum speeches. Oral responses to Questions with Notice removed. |
| Planning Decisions | Cannot be made without a staff report. If a decision is made contrary to staff recommendations, reasons must be provided. |
| Disorder & Expulsion | Expanded definition of disorderly conduct. New provisions requiring Council to authorise the Chair’s power to expel at adoption and each new term. Public may be expelled for disruptions, protest materials, or unauthorised recordings. |
| Committees | Councillor-only committees must now comply with the full Code of Meeting Practice. |
