Draft Code of Meeting Practice 2025

This Code of Meeting Practice is based on the Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW (the Model Meeting Code) which is prescribed under Section 360 of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (the Regulation).

The Model Meeting Code applies to all meetings of councils and committees of councils of which all the members are councillors (committees of council). Council committees whose members include persons other than councillors may adopt their own rules for meetings unless the council determines otherwise.

A council and a committee of the council of which all the members are councillors must conduct its meetings in accordance with the code of meeting practice adopted by the council.

Council and committee meetings should be:

Transparent	Decisions are made in a way that is open and accountable.
Informed	Decisions are made based on relevant, quality information.
Inclusive	Decisions respect the diverse needs and interests of the local community.
Principle	Decisions are informed by the principles prescribed under Chapter 3 of the Act.
Trusted	The community has confidence that councillors and staff act ethically and make decisions in the interests of the whole community.
Respectful	Councillors, staff and meeting attendees treat each other with respect.
Effective	Meetings are well organised, effectively run and skilfully chaired.
Orderly	Councillors, staff and meeting attendees behave in a way that contributes to the orderly conduct of the meeting.

 

View a copy of the draft Code of Meeting Practice here(PDF, 525KB). 

Have Your Say via the form below. Submissions close at 5:00pm on Tuesday, 9 December 2025.