Participate in a Council meeting

You may submit to ask a question or make a statement related to our role, functions or business in-person during Public Participation time at an OCM, and/or you can submit a Written Public Question. Further information is provided for each option below.

Public Participation

Early in an OCM, there is an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions or make statements to Council during Public Participation time. To allow Council to complete the business on the OCM agenda, Public Participation is limited to 15 minutes at the discretion of the Chair. Please note that these questions/statements will not be included in the minutes of the meeting.

If you would like to ask a question or make a statement to Council, you will need to complete a form on arrival at the OCM using the iPad provided or by scanning the QR code by 7.30pm. Speakers will be called forward in order of submission.

Written Public Question

As a member of the public, you can ask us questions at an OCM any time by submitting your question by no later than 12 noon on the business day before the meeting. Fifteen minutes may be allocated on the agenda of a scheduled OCM to hear written public questions. This is at the discretion of the Chair. The Chief Executive Officer will read the written public question, and the appropriate Director will provide a response.

Please note, there is no opportunity for discussion on the written public question or answer by Councillors or members during a meeting. All written public questions answered in the meeting will be included in the minutes of the meeting.

Further information about submitting a written public question can be found at: Ask a question

Our Public Participation Policy details the requirements for Public Participation and Written Public Questions.

OCM information, including dates can be found at: Council meeting information