Members of the public are able to apply to address Council at an Ordinary Council meeting regarding an issue or matter on the agenda in accordance with public address guidelines.
If you are wanting to address the Council at a Council meeting regarding agenda items, you must complete the appropriate Public Address Form and return it to Council by 12 noon, on the day of the meeting.
Note: Council meetings, including public address speeches, are recorded and webcast live on Wagga Wagga City Council’s website and Facebook page. If you are addressing a meeting, your image, voice and name, will be recorded, publicly broadcast and archived. By attending or speaking at a Council meeting, you consent to this use of your image, voice and personal information.
- To speak at a public address session, applications must be received by 12pm on the day of the Council Meeting.
- Applications must identify the item of business on the agenda of the council meeting the person wishes to speak on, and whether they wish to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ the recommendation.
- The General Manager, or their delegate will determine applications by 2pm on the day of the Council Meeting.
- The General Manager or their delegate may refuse an application to speak at a public address session. Reasons for refusal may include, but are not limited to, instances where a person has already addressed Council on one or more occasions on the same matter.
- No more than two (2) speakers are to be permitted to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ each item of business on the agenda for the council meeting, except in circumstances outlined in the Code of Meeting Practice.
- If more than the permitted number of speakers apply to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ any item of business, the General Manager or their delegate may request that applicants divide the time between the additional speakers.
- Approved speakers must provide written, visual or audio material (if applicable) to be presented as part their address. The General Manager may refuse to allow such material to be presented.
- Each speaker will be allowed five (5) minutes to address the council. This time is to be strictly enforced by the chairperson.
- Approved speakers must not digress from the item on the agenda they are addressing.
- A councillor (including the chairperson) may, ask questions of a speaker following their address at a public address session.
- Speakers at public address sessions cannot ask questions of the council, councillors, or council staff.
- When addressing the council, speakers must refrain from engaging in disorderly conduct and making potentially defamatory statements.
To review detailed guidance in relation to addressing Council at this meetings, please refer to Council’s Code of Meeting Practice (PDF, 5.7 MB) (Section 4).