With little to no reception in many towns where it holds council meetings, Greater Hume Shire has questioned the practicality of a NSW government mandate ordering all meetings be live streamed within 12 months.
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Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton announced the change as a part of the NSW-wide ‘Moral Code of Meeting Practice’, which also limits councillor speeches to five minutes, creates uniform rules of debate and limits the use of mayoral minutes.
Greater Hume Shire mayor Heather Wilton hopes there are dispensation for councils, like hers, which host meetings in various towns.
“In some remote locations you can’t get reception of any description so it might be a bit difficult to live stream,” she said.
“I don’t think it would be too difficult to set up in Culcairn or Holbrook, but say we’re in Lankeys Creek or Walbundrie?”
Cr Wilton said councillors had previously discussed the idea which “raised eyebrows”.
“I hope constituents enjoy it,” she said.
“I’m not sure who wants to look at a boring old council meeting, but there might be aspects people are interested in.”
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Both Albury and Federation councils have live streamed council meetings since 2017, spending about $10,000 and $13,000 respectively on system set-up.
Albury Council’s costs did not include microphones and other infrastructure already in place, while Federation installed systems across Corowa and Urana.
Berrigan Council mayor Matthew Hannan said councils which rotate venues would be hardest hit.
“For some of the smaller councils with multiple offices or venues, it could be a fair cost,” he said.
“We’re lucky enough to meet in the one place generally.”
Cr Hannan said they were happy to follow the mandate but he doubted Berrigan meetings would gain a viral following.
“I’m not sure thousands of people will be watching the live stream of a council meeting of Berrigan,” he said.
“Personally I think when people are interested in an issue or are passionate about something, they come down and get involved.”
Federation mayor Patrick Bourke said live streaming and technology was essential in the amalgamated shire as it not only connected constitutes to council meetings wherever they live, but also connected staff in the two council offices.
“It’s integrating two shire chambers... and helping bring two places together,” he said.
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