PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council has unanimously adopted a new set of public forum rules, bringing its meeting procedures into line with updated State Government requirements.
The decision was made at last week’s council meeting following a public exhibition process and the release of a new Model Code of Meeting Practice by the Office of Local Government earlier this year.
Under the changes, councils across NSW are required to adopt meeting practices that incorporate mandatory provisions of the 2025 Model Meeting Code by December 31, 2025.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council first considered the draft rules in October before placing them on public exhibition for 28 days.
One submission was received during the consultation period.
No major changes were made to the draft rules as a result of the submission, but several minor administrative amendments were introduced to improve efficiency.
These include removing a two-minute timeframe for responses from the general manager, expanding who may approve recording of a forum, clarifying that public forums are not formal council meetings, and allowing councillors and staff to attend forums remotely if physically unable to attend.
A new clause also confirms public forums will be live-streamed, as required under the updated model code.
A council report said the purpose of public forums was to allow community members to address council, with councillors able to seek additional information through formal channels following the forum.
The new rules will take effect from the first public forum in 2026, scheduled for February.
By Matt TAYLOR
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