Georges River Council has adopted a new Code of Meeting Practice, introducing changes designed to strengthen community participation, improve transparency and ensure local voices are heard earlier in the decision‑making process.
The updated Code aligns with the Model Code of Meeting Practice issued by the NSW Office of Local Government. It will guide how Council and Committee meetings are conducted from 2026.
At the heart of the changes is a new approach to the Public Forum. It ensures community feedback can be genuinely considered before Council makes decisions. Under the new arrangements, a dedicated Public Forum will be held one week prior to each Council meeting.
This approach not only complies with the Model Code but also supports greater accessibility and fairness for speakers. While the Public Forum could have been scheduled immediately prior to a Council meeting, doing so would risk registered speakers losing their opportunity to speak if the forum exceeded the 7.00pm Council Meeting start time. To mitigate this risk and to ensure the highest level of community participation, Council determined that holding the Public Forum on a separate evening was the most inclusive and practical option.
This change gives Councillors more time to carefully consider community views. Councillors will also be able to submit questions to staff following the Public Forum. Staff will then prepare and publish written responses before the Council meeting. This helps ensure community input meaningfully informs decision‑making.
Community members will be able to speak at the Public Forum on items of business listed on the upcoming Council meeting agenda. This includes matters that have been considered at Committee meetings and are progressing to Council for determination.
To make participation as accessible as possible, the Public Forum will be:
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Livestreamed,
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Open to in‑person attendance,
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Available via dial‑in from home, or
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Open to written submissions that can be read out on a speaker's behalf.
Residents can register to speak up until 10.00am on the day of the Public Forum, and the public gallery will remain open for those who wish to attend.
To keep meetings focused, the new Code does not allow public speakers on Questions with Notice or Questions Without Notice as these items do not lead to debate or decisions. The public forum is specifically intended for agenda items where Council is making decisions and where community views can be meaningfully considered.
Another change under the new Code is the way Committee meetings are scheduled. From 2026, Committee meetings will run consecutively from 6.00pm. This makes it easier for residents to attend all meetings scheduled for the evening. These updates reinforce Council's commitment to open, transparent and inclusive local government.
Georges River Council Mayor Elise Borg said, "The new Code of Meeting Practice reflects Council's commitment to putting the community at the heart of local decisions.
"Listening to our community is essential to making good decisions. Holding the Public Forum before Council meetings ensures local voices are heard. This way, they are respected and reflected in the decisions that shape the future of Georges River."
