Closing the Loop:
Council, at its meeting held 10 December 2025 considered the draft Code of Meeting Practice, based on the 2025 Model Code issued by the Office of Local Government. Feedback received from the community was considered in drafting the version put forward. The significant changes to the Code include:
- A requirement to register to speak at Council meetings;
- Speakers at public forums have 4 minutes to discuss their topic (a reduction from 5 minutes);
- Speakers at public forums can speak on any topic rather than limited to only agenda items;
- Policy committee meetings are new held quarterly (commencing 4 March 2026);
- Public forum will be live streamed;
- Include an Acknowledgement of Service Personnel in the meeting proceedings for the April meeting only
- The recording of votes in the minutes of the meeting is now mandated.
These requirements came into effect from meetings held after 1 January 2026. A copy of the adopted Code is in the document library.
Background:
On 29 August 2025, the Office of Local Government via Circular 25-20 released an updated Model Code of Meeting Practice. The circular noted that the Model Code must adopt a Code of Meeting Practice that incorporates the mandatory provisions of the 2025 Model Meeting Code by 31 December 2025.
What’s new or changing?
Among other changes, the mandatory provisions of the 2025 Model Meeting Code will prohibit pre-meeting briefings.
Councils must also livestream meetings of the council and committees comprising wholly of councillors from 1 January 2026 using an audio-visual recording. Recordings of meetings must be published on the council’s website for the balance of the council term or for 12 months, whichever is the later date.
More detailed information about the changes to council meeting practices made by the 2025 Model Meeting Code is provided in the FAQ document provided in the document library.
Following the Policy Meeting on 1 October 2025 the draft now also includes the requirement for members of the public to register to speak at the public form (see Part 4).
Previous Community Consultation
Council has previously exhibited a draft Code of Meeting Practice during July and August 2025 for a period of 28 days. As a result of the consultation, 31 submissions were received. At this stage, their comments have not been considered or incorporated into the draft Code of Meeting Practice at this stage. These 31 initial submissions will be considered as part of the overall exhibition of both documents and will be presented to Council when the report is presented back to Council.
Bathurst Regional Council Code of Meeting Practice 2025
The latest iteration of the draft Code of Meeting Practice which incorporates the 2025 Model Meeting Code and the original suggestions put forward in July 2025. This version is proposed to be placed on public exhibition for a further 28 days, in accordance with the requirements of the Act. The updated version is also included in the document library. Following public exhibition, a further report will be presented to Council for its consideration.
Do I need to make a further submission?
Community members who made submissions in July 2025 may choose to make a further submission on the updated draft. As noted above, all 31 submissions already received will be considered in conjunction with any new submissions received during this exhibition period.
You can submit your feedback via the submission form below, via email to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or in writing to The General Manager, PMB 17, Bathurst NSW 2795.
Submissions must be lodged by 4pm Friday 31 October 2025.
Closing the Loop:
Council, at its meeting held 10 December 2025 considered the draft Code of Meeting Practice, based on the 2025 Model Code issued by the Office of Local Government. Feedback received from the community was considered in drafting the version put forward. The significant changes to the Code include:
- A requirement to register to speak at Council meetings;
- Speakers at public forums have 4 minutes to discuss their topic (a reduction from 5 minutes);
- Speakers at public forums can speak on any topic rather than limited to only agenda items;
- Policy committee meetings are new held quarterly (commencing 4 March 2026);
- Public forum will be live streamed;
- Include an Acknowledgement of Service Personnel in the meeting proceedings for the April meeting only
- The recording of votes in the minutes of the meeting is now mandated.
These requirements came into effect from meetings held after 1 January 2026. A copy of the adopted Code is in the document library.
Background:
On 29 August 2025, the Office of Local Government via Circular 25-20 released an updated Model Code of Meeting Practice. The circular noted that the Model Code must adopt a Code of Meeting Practice that incorporates the mandatory provisions of the 2025 Model Meeting Code by 31 December 2025.
What’s new or changing?
Among other changes, the mandatory provisions of the 2025 Model Meeting Code will prohibit pre-meeting briefings.
Councils must also livestream meetings of the council and committees comprising wholly of councillors from 1 January 2026 using an audio-visual recording. Recordings of meetings must be published on the council’s website for the balance of the council term or for 12 months, whichever is the later date.
More detailed information about the changes to council meeting practices made by the 2025 Model Meeting Code is provided in the FAQ document provided in the document library.
Following the Policy Meeting on 1 October 2025 the draft now also includes the requirement for members of the public to register to speak at the public form (see Part 4).
Previous Community Consultation
Council has previously exhibited a draft Code of Meeting Practice during July and August 2025 for a period of 28 days. As a result of the consultation, 31 submissions were received. At this stage, their comments have not been considered or incorporated into the draft Code of Meeting Practice at this stage. These 31 initial submissions will be considered as part of the overall exhibition of both documents and will be presented to Council when the report is presented back to Council.
Bathurst Regional Council Code of Meeting Practice 2025
The latest iteration of the draft Code of Meeting Practice which incorporates the 2025 Model Meeting Code and the original suggestions put forward in July 2025. This version is proposed to be placed on public exhibition for a further 28 days, in accordance with the requirements of the Act. The updated version is also included in the document library. Following public exhibition, a further report will be presented to Council for its consideration.
Do I need to make a further submission?
Community members who made submissions in July 2025 may choose to make a further submission on the updated draft. As noted above, all 31 submissions already received will be considered in conjunction with any new submissions received during this exhibition period.
You can submit your feedback via the submission form below, via email to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or in writing to The General Manager, PMB 17, Bathurst NSW 2795.
Submissions must be lodged by 4pm Friday 31 October 2025.
