Members of the public can ask to speak at Council meetings. This is called our Public Access Forum.

A limited number of places are available to speak at each meeting.

To speak at a public forum, a person must first make an application to Council using our Public Access Forum application form PDF, 265.28 KB

Applications to speak at the public forum must be received by 12 noon on the working day before the date on which the public forum is to be held. Applications must identify the item of business on the meeting agenda which the person wishes to speak on, and whether they wish to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ the item.

Legal representatives acting on behalf of others are not permitted to speak at a public forum unless they identify their status as a legal representative when applying to speak at the public forum.

The General Manager or their delegate may refuse an application to speak at a public forum. No more than two speakers will be permitted to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ each item of business on the agenda for the Council meeting

Each speaker will be allowed five minutes to address the Council. This will be strictly enforced by the chairperson.

For more details see our Code of Meeting Practice policy PDF, 472.08 KB.