Newcastle community invited to consider Council meeting guidelines

City of Newcastle is asking community members to provide feedback on the rules that guide Council meetings. 

City of Newcastle's Code of Meeting Practice applies to all Council meetings. 

City of Newcastle Executive Director of Corporate Services David Clarke said NSW legislation requires all Councils in NSW to adopt a Code of Meeting Practice, based on the prescribed Model Code of Meeting Practice, within the first 12 months following an election. 

"The draft Code also contains some additional clauses and changes to align with City of Newcastle practices and procedures,” Mr Clarke said. 

"The recent Davidson Independent Review made findings and recommendations into the conduct of Council meetings, so it is timely to review the Code of Meeting Practice.  

"We're asking community members to take a look at the Code and share their thoughts on the provisions, as well as any changes they think should be considered." 

The Code of Meeting Practice covers all aspects of Council meetings, including everything from the agenda and order of business to the rules of debate and voting. 

It also sets guidelines around the timing and notification of meetings, who can attend and the way in which they are recorded and broadcast to the public. 

City of Newcastle will review submissions received during the public exhibition period and prepare a summary to be included in a report to the September Ordinary Council Meeting.  

If no submissions are received, the draft Code of Meeting Practice will be considered adopted without a further report to Council. 

Community members can find out more or make a submission via the Have Your Say page on City of Newcastle's website. The public exhibition period will close at 5pm on Wednesday 3 September 2025.