Public question time

Please note:

• A limit of two questions may be submitted by an individual at any Council meeting.
• Where questions are submitted in 'parts', each part will be assessed as being a separate question, with only the first two questions read out.
• Questions submitted must include your full name and address or email. Submissions without a full name and contact details will not be answered; however, you may opt to not have your full name read out.
• Questions submitted after the deadline of 3pm on the day of the Council meeting will not be read out but will be dealt with at the next Ordinary Council Meeting or answered in writing, at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.

Public Questions must not:

• relate to a matter beyond or outside Council's powers
• be defamatory, indecent, abusive or questionable
• be repetitive of a question already answered (whether at that meeting or an earlier one)
• be asked to be derogatory of or to embarrass a Councillor, a member of Council staff or a member of the community
• be related to a matter already considered and resolved upon by Council.

Things to remember

• Please keep questions brief - 'preambles' will not be read out.
• Two questions per person are allowed.
• Under Sub-Rule 39.6 of the Governance Rules, the Chair has the discretion to decide that questions may be responded to either verbally at the meeting or later in writing.
• Like questions may be grouped together with a single answer provided.
• Sub-Rule 52.2 provides that community members/visitors must not interject or take part in the debate and must preserve silence in the gallery at all times.
• Sub-Rule 39.10 of the Governance Rules provides that no debate on questions asked or answers given is permitted.

Submit a question

Questions must be in writing and can be submitted by:

• completing an online question form (below) by 3pm on the day of a Council Meeting; or 
• placing a paper question form(PDF, 300KB) in the Question Box in the Council Chamber foyer by 3pm on the day of a Council Meeting - please visit the Customer Service counter for a time stamp.

What happens next?

• Your question/s will be assessed under the Governance Rules.
• If compliant, they will be read out at the meeting or a response will be provided in writing.

Click here to view form.