Bass Coast Shire Council will introduce livestreaming of its Meetings for a six month trial.
The trial will start at the May Council Meeting and will include a trial of voice-to-text closed captions, which will be included when the video is published along with the minutes.
Due to the most recent government directions on social distancing to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, changes have been implemented at Council Meetings, which limit the ability of the public to attend in person.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari, said livestreaming will mean the community can continue to access Council Meetings in real time.
"This is an especially important step for our community in the current circumstances, which limit the ability for people to attend our meetings in person," Cr Tessari said.
"Once livestreaming is up and running, anyone who finds it difficult to attend meetings, or lives outside of the Shire will be able to tune in."
The livestream will be accessible from Council's website and a captioned version of the video will be published on Council's website and YouTube channel following the meeting.
Livestreaming is currently being provided by other Victorian councils and is seen as a positive step towards greater transparency and encouraging community engagement in civic processes.
