Upper Hunter Shire Council is calling on the State Government to review new regulations that restrict councillors from meeting with council staff to discuss matters that are, or may become, items on a council meeting agenda.
The Local Government (General) Amendment (Meetings) Regulation 2026 came into effect on 26 June and introduced several mandatory changes for councils across New South Wales, including a requirement for council and councillor committee meetings to be livestreamed, a change Upper Hunter Shire Council says it already has in place. The regulation also brings in stronger provisions for managing disorderly conduct and new restrictions on councillor briefings.
Under the new rules, councillors other than the Mayor or meeting chair are prohibited from meeting with council staff before a council or committee meeting to discuss matters listed, or expected to be listed, on an agenda. While councillors can request additional information beforehand, Council says the process does not easily allow for the detailed discussion often needed to understand complex operational, financial, strategic or planning matters.
Mayor Maurice Collison said Council supported measures that improved transparency, but argued informed decision-making needed to be part of the equation as well.
“Council supports measures that improve transparency and accountability, including livestreaming meetings and making recordings available to the community,” Cr Collison said.
“But it is ludicrous to suggest that Council could be required to consider a major planning or infrastructure matter while councillors are prevented from undertaking a site inspection beforehand, unless the inspection forms part of a formal meeting or is effectively opened to the entire community.”
He noted a previous version of the regulation had been disallowed by the NSW Parliament, only for the Government to reintroduce substantially similar restrictions.
Council is asking the State Government to review the provisions and consider amendments that would allow structured councillor briefings, workshops and site inspections to continue, alongside appropriate transparency and governance safeguards.
The concerns will be forwarded to the Minister for Local Government, the Premier, the Member for Upper Hunter, Local Government NSW and neighbouring councils.
