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From January 1, 2026, residents of the Hawkesbury will notice a significant change in how they can have their say at local council meetings. This is part of sweeping reforms introduced by the NSW Government to improve transparency and order in council decision-making.
The NSW Government legislated these changes following concerns about the need to restore public confidence in local councils, ensure meetings run efficiently, and make decision-making more transparent and accountable. Councils across the state are now required to adopt a new Model Code of Meeting Practice, which sets mandatory rules for how council meetings and public participation are conducted.
Under the new rules, members of the public will no longer be able to speak during the formal agenda discussions of council meetings. Instead, they will be invited to participate in dedicated public forums held before the formal meetings begin.
Hawkesbury City Council has adopted these changes in its new Code of Meeting Practice. The public forums will take place in the Council Chambers starting at 6:00 pm on meeting nights and run for up to an hour. Residents wishing to speak must register by 3:00 pm on the day of the meeting. Each speaker will have five minutes to address councillors on council agenda items or other matters of local importance.
Council has set clear limits to ensure fairness, no more than three speakers for and three against any one agenda item will be permitted, and a total of twelve speakers can be accommodated each night.
The NSW Government expects these reforms will lead to more orderly meetings where councillors can debate and make decisions without interruption, while still providing residents with structured opportunities to raise their concerns and engage directly with elected representatives.
Mayor Les Sheather said, “These reforms strike a balance between encouraging community participation and ensuring council meetings run efficiently and effectively. Public forums will give residents a dedicated space to raise issues directly with their elected representatives before decisions are made.”
The council meetings themselves will continue to be livestreamed and recorded for public viewing, further increasing transparency.
For residents eager to have their voices heard, the key takeaway is to register early and take advantage of the public forums, a new platform for engagement that replaces speaking during the formal meeting agenda.
How to Register to Speak at a Hawkesbury Council Public Forum: Step-by-Step
- Check the Meeting Date
Council meetings are typically held [insert regular schedule, e.g., “on the second Tuesday of each month”]. Public forums start at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers. - Submit Your Registration Form
- Visit the Hawkesbury City Council website at hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au.
- Find the “Public Forums” or “Council Meetings” section.
- Download and complete the Public Forum Registration Form, or use the online submission portal if available.
- Send Your Registration Before the Deadline
- Registrations must be received by 3:00 pm on the day of the meeting you wish to speak at.
- You can submit your form via email to [insert council email], or deliver it in person to the council office.
- Specify Your Topic
- Indicate whether you wish to speak on a specific agenda item or a general matter within the council’s jurisdiction.
- If speaking on an agenda item, please state whether you are speaking “for” or “against” the item.
- Prepare Your Speech
- You will have 5 minutes to speak during the public forum.
- Written materials can be submitted in advance but audio or video presentations are not permitted.
- Attend the Public Forum
- Arrive at the Council Chambers by 6:00 pm on the meeting night.
- The forum will run for up to 60 minutes, with up to 12 speakers in total.
For more information, or if you have questions about the process, contact Hawkesbury City Council on 02 4560 4444
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these forums, a new and dedicated opportunity to engage directly with councillors and have their voices heard in shaping the future of the Hawkesbury.
