Meetings and Minutes

Local government is the only level of government where the public gallery can ask questions in the
Chamber. This privilege does bring with it a required level of common courtesy and mutual respect
between the public, your elected members and the institution of Municipal Council.

1. Glamorgan Spring Bay Council allows a minimum of 15 minutes in total for Public Question Time
   during Ordinary Meetings of Council.
2. Questions are to be addressed to the Chairperson.
3. Questions addressing the personal actions of a Councillor/s may not be accepted by the Chairperson.
4. Questions must only relate to the activities of Council.
5. Public statements will not be allowed during Public Question Time. The Council requests that Public Question Time is used for questions only.
6. A question asked at a meeting is to, as far as is practicable –
   • (a) be concise; and
   • (b) be clear; and
   • (c) not be a statement; and
   • (d) have minimal pre-amble.
7. Prior to the commencement of a Council Meeting, the Chairperson will approach the public gallery and request the names of those who wish to ask a question during Public Question Time.
8. Council encourages wherever possible, that questions are submitted in writing to the Mayor on the day or to the General Manager 7 days in advance of the meeting date. If the question is submitted 7 days prior, it is considered to be taken ‘on notice’ and a response will be provided in the meeting agenda.
9. A question may be taken on notice and answered at the next Ordinary Meeting of Council.
10. A question by any member of the public and any answer to a question is not to be debated.
11. The Chair of the meeting can refuse a question but must explain why a question is being refused. Inappropriate questions that are offensive in nature, relate to personnel, confidential or legal matters involving Council or are not Council business will not be accepted.
12. There is a limit of two (2) questions per person either in writing or in person.

Please note: The rules for asking a question during Public Question Time are governed by regulation 36 of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) 2025 and the Chair of the meeting.

Attending a Council Meeting

Members of the public are welcome to attend Council Meetings in person. The Chambers can accommodate up to nine visitors per meeting, and attendance is by registration only — once we reach capacity, no further registrations can be accepted.

Register to attend — email admin@freycinet.tas.gov.au or call our Executive Officer on (03) 6256 4777.

Public Question Time — if you’d like to ask a question but can’t attend, you can submit it in writing by 12 noon the day before the meeting. Either email admin@freycinet, or drop your question into the post box outside the Council Chambers at 9 Melbourne Street, Triabunna.

1. Glamorgan Spring Bay Council chooses to apply ordinary Council meeting procedures to the conduct of the Annual General Meeting.
2. At the conclusion of the presentation, any submissions which have been lodged in respect to the Annual Report will be discussed.
3. A member of the public may only speak once and for no longer than five minutes.
4. No-one is to be interrupted whilst they are speaking.
5. You are asked, as a matter of courtesy and for the Minutes, to identify yourself before speaking.
6. All discussion will be addressed through the Chair.
7. No person may:
   • Make any personal reflection on any Councillor, Council employee or member of the public.
   • Disrupt the meeting; or
   • in the opinion of the Chairman, use any offensive expression.
8. If you intend to move a motion, the following procedures apply:
   • Please stand and identify yourself.
   • The motion must be moved and seconded before debate is permitted.
   • Only one motion may be before the Chair at a time.
   • Voting is by show of hands and only electors in the Glamorgan Spring
9. Bay Municipal Area are entitled to vote.
   • A resolution is passed by half plus one of the electors present voting in favour of it
   • In speaking to a motion, you may speak only once and for no longer than five minutes.
   • The mover of the motion has a final right of reply.
10. Any resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting will be considered at the January Council meeting