By Clr Nathan Tilbury
Recently, the NSW Local Government Minister, Ron Hoeing, has directed all councils to go through the process of making significant changes to the way council meetings are held.
While some of these changes are welcome, one mandatory change that is causing serious concern is the removal of the public’s right to be able to speak at the council meeting on items that are important to them.
Once implemented (scheduled to be in place from February 2026) the community’s opportunity to directly voice concerns and feedback to council will be badly diluted.
Most residents have absolutely no interest in council matters and just want council to get on with running the organization that picks up their bins, cuts the grass on their sports field, maintain their playground and builds their footpath.
However, when an item comes up that is important to them, they highly value the opportunity to have their say at a time when council is deciding on that item.
This change from the Minister will mean every council will lose its ability to decide for itself how residents can engage at meetings, where ordinary people can voice concerns, challenge proposals, and put forward ideas directly to decision-makers.
If you would like to know more, please feel free to reach out at any time.
Hornsby Shire Independent Councillor, Nathan Tilbury 0403 227 560 or [email protected]
