G21 Councils: Public Access to Councilors
Council3 November 2017
Kenn Rusty

Post No 10 – By Rusty
Surf Coast Shire – Council Meetings
Summary
At just the time GGCC is bringing back a democratically elected Council they are also limiting the public’s access to engagement and information flow. The Surf Coast Shire has an open informal chat prior to the council meeting of just less than 30 minutes. They also have a formal public question time in the body of the Council Meeting. There is no hint that either of these public interactions is limited to items on that upcoming agenda.
Surf Coast Shire notice of meeting
Council Meetings are typically conducted on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6pm in the Council Chambers, 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay unless advertised otherwise.
All interested members of the public are invited to attend Council meetings. Council promote and encourage community participation in the governance of Council.
To participate in Council’s Public Question Time please ensure that a Public Question Time form is completed and returned to Council by 10am on the day of the meeting. Question Time forms can be emailed to info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au, faxed to 5261 0525 or hand delivered to Customer Service, Council Offices, 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay.
The Agenda for each Council Meeting will be available by close of business on the Friday before each Council meeting and the Minutes and audio recording made available as soon as possible following the meeting.
Council Meeting Procedures and Common Seal Local Law No.2 of 2016 regulates the procedure for the meetings.
Special Council Meeting
Council advises that there will be a Special Council meeting, at 5pm on Wednesday 8 November 2017, to be held in the Council Chambers, 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the following:
- Term of Mayor
- Election of Mayor
- Election of Deputy Mayor
The Agenda will be made available prior to the meeting.
The public is welcome to attend this meeting.
The next Ordinary meeting of Council will be held at 6pm on Tuesday 28 November 2017 at Deans Marsh Public Hall, Pennyroyal Valley Road, Deans Marsh.
The Agenda will be made available prior to the meeting.
Meet your Councilors before the meeting.
Residents are welcome to arrive at 5.30pm to speak informally with Councilors before the Council Meeting.
The public is welcome to attend this meeting.
So says the Surf Coast Shire.
#10 R 31/10/17