Council invites the community to speak on agenda items from Committee Meetings and Council Meetings.

A Public Forum is held prior to Committee Meetings on the second Monday of each month commencing at 6.00pm and during the Council Meetings on the fourth Monday of every month commencing at 7.00pm. It is an opportunity for the community to speak on matters being determined by Council.

You must register to speak at Council and Committee Meetings. There is a limit of the number of people who can speak for, and against, each item.

Council staff will confirm if your request to speak at the meeting you apply for is approved.
 

Before you complete the form

1. Read the Code of Meeting Practice
   You must read and acknowledge Council’s Code of Conduct and Code of Meeting Practice before you submit the form.

2. Item number and item name
   You need to note the item number and item name for the agenda item you want to speak about. You can find the Committee meetings agenda or Council meeting agenda on our Meetings of Council page.
   If you would like to speak on more than one item please register a separate form for each agenda item you wish to speak on. Please note, your total time to speak on any number of items is limited to three minutes.
   
   Note: Registrations will only be permitted after the agenda is published for the meeting you wish to register for. If the agenda has not been published prior to the form being submitted your application will be rejected.

3. Your position on the item
   Decide if you are speaking for or against the item as it is recommended in the Standing Committee agendas or the Council Meeting agenda. 
     - You are For the item if you agree with the recommendation or motion as it is proposed. 
     - You are Against the item if you disagree with the recommendation or motion as it is proposed.

4. How you want to participate
   Choose whether you will:
     - Attend in person. If you attend in person, you are coming to the Georges River Council Civic Centre. Corner MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville.
     - Be dialled in to speak remotely by phone.
     - Submit a written statement to be read by staff.

5. Pecuniary interest
   Consider whether you have a pecuniary (financial) interest in the matter you wish to speak on. 
   A pecuniary interest exists when a person could reasonably expect to gain or lose financially from a matter (e.g. property interest). This interest also applies if the financial impact would affect the person’s spouse or de facto partner, a relative, their employer or business partner, or any company or organisation in which they (or their partner, employer, or nominee) are a member.
   
   Note: If you have a pecuniary interest this will appear against your name in the Council or Committee Meeting agenda and minutes. Your pecuniary interest will also be included in your introduction before your speak.
    

Completing the form

• Complete the online Request to Speak application form via the button below. 

• Submit the form by 12.00pm on the day of the Council or Committee Meeting.

• After completing your application successfully, you will receive an acknowledgement. ​The form will close, and you will then receive a confirmation email.
  
  Note: Successfully submitting the form does not automatically mean you are approved to speak. You will be contacted by staff by 4.00pm on the day of the meeting if your request has been approved.

Submit a request to speak at a Council or Committee Meeting

If you do not receive the confirmation email:​

Check that all mandatory fields were completed and try submitting again. If you are experiencing difficulty call Council on (02) 9330 6400 for assistance.

Further details are available in the Council and Committee Meeting - Fact Sheet.
 

Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring people with disability have equal opportunity to take part in Council and Committee Meetings. 

If you attend in person, the Georges River Council Civic Centre includes:

• An access ramp.

• Automatic front doors.

• A lift to the Council Chambers.

If you have access or disability‑related needs, please contact us so we can assist you.
 

Online access to meetings

We live-stream Council meetings online so you can access them without physically attending. This provides greater community access to Council decisions and debates.

As well as watching meetings live, we provide video and audio from previous meetings.

To watch a meeting live, or access the Council Meeting Webcast Archive, visit our Meetings of Council page.