Moree says live broadcast of council meetings 'waste of money'

Take for instance the former anti-corruption campaigner and former councillor Danny Lim, 74, who is famous for wearing sandwich boards. Or the angry claims and counter-claims on the North Coast where anti-blueberry farm campaigners stood toe to toe with industry.  

Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton announced NSW’s local council meetings will be webcast under the new Model Code of Meeting Practice – a mandatory ruling that all councils must obey by the end of 2019.

“If it’s good enough for federal and state MPs to go live to the nation, then there is no reason why local councillors should be exempt,” Ms Upton said. “The reality is that residents and ratepayers who want to know what is going on at their council can get online and be informed.”

But Moree mayor Katrina Humphries says the money spent on broadcasting will be a waste. “Who is going to pay for it – ratepayers?” Mrs Humphries asked. “I mean it is hypocritical of the Minster to tell us to do it, when their broadcasts from parliament are paid for. I see this as part of the Government’s seek and destroy attitude with councils.  Already  we are doing half their work. But really, who wants to watch council anyway? We have an open gallery and it’s never full. People have much better things to watch.”

Ms Humphries feared that with council meetings  on the web they would fall prey to party micromanagers trying to score political points. “I can see an opportunity for outside people to manipulate council meetings and that is a big worry. Then you’ll get grandstanders who’ll try and get on the webcast and try and show off to their friends. It’s a dumb idea and a cost we don’t need.”

Mrs Upton said he new Model Code of Meeting Practice is the first uniform set of meeting rules for NSW councils.

“The code includes optional time limits on meetings, a five-minute limit on councillor speeches, uniform rules of debate, and limits on mayoral minutes.

“There have been too many instances where Mayoral Minutes have been used to bring issues to the council without proper notice,” Ms Upton said.

“Councils are also encouraged to hold public forums before ordinary meetings so residents can address the council as well as pre-meeting briefings for councillors where general managers outline business agenda items so they can make informed decisions.

“From now on, meetings will be more transparent, informed, inclusive and respectful,” she said.