Public Questions for Council

The guidelines for public questions are set out in Yarriambiack Shire Council’s Governance Rules.

Public Question Time is an important opportunity for community members to engage with Council and seek clarification on matters that affect them. It ensures transparency and encourages open communication between Council and the public. By submitting questions, residents can contribute to informed decision-making and stay connected with local governance.

Governance Rules – Question Time

There shall be a public question time at every Council Meeting to enable members of the public to submit questions to Council.

During Public Question Time, the submitter’s name, township, question, and the corresponding response will be read aloud and recorded in the meeting minutes.

Submitting Questions

Questions must be in writing and include the name and address of the person submitting the question.
Questions cannot be submitted anonymously.
Questions must be submitted via the form approved or permitted by Council.
Questions must be submitted at least 24 hours before the meeting and will be answered during that meeting.
Questions submitted less than 24 hours before the meeting will be answered if possible; otherwise, a written response will be provided after the meeting.
No person may submit more than two questions per meeting unless permitted by the Chairperson (Mayor).

Question Presentation

The Chairperson (Mayor) or a nominated Councillor or Officer may read the question aloud.
The submitter does not have the right to verbally present the question.

Disallowed Questions

A question must be disallowed if it:

Relates to matters outside Council’s duties, functions, or powers.
Is defamatory, indecent, abusive, offensive, irrelevant, trivial, or objectionable.
Deals with a subject already answered.
Is aimed at embarrassing a Councillor or Officer.
Relates to a personnel matter.
Contains or refers to Confidential Information.

Responses

Questions and answers must be brief; no discussion is allowed except for clarification.
The Chairperson (Mayor) may nominate a Councillor or Officer to respond.
Responses may be deferred to the next meeting or provided in writing.
If a question contains Confidential Information, Council may resolve to consider it in a closed meeting under Section 66 of the Local Government Act 2020.

Additional Rules

Statements preceding a question will not be addressed and may be removed.
Similar questions may be grouped together with a single answer.
The submitter does not need to attend the meeting; if absent, a written answer will be provided.

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