Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Local Government Act 1989 - SECT 89

Meetings to be open to the public

89. Meetings to be open to the public



(1) Unless subsection (2) applies, any meeting of a Council or a special
committee must be open to members of the public.

(2) A Council or special committee may resolve that the meeting be closed to
members of the public if the meeting is discussing any of the following-

   (a)  personnel matters;

   (b)  the personal hardship of any resident or ratepayer;

   (c)  industrial matters;

   (d)  contractual matters;

   (e)  proposed developments;

   (f)  legal advice;

   (g)  matters affecting the security of Council property;

   (h)  any other matter which the Council or special committee considers
        would prejudice the Council or any person;

        (i)    a resolution to close the meeting to members of the public.

(3) If a Council or special committee resolves to close a meeting to members
of the public the reason must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

(4) Unless subsection (4A) applies, a Council must at least 7 days before the
holding of-

   (a)  an ordinary council meeting; or

   (b)  a special council meeting; or

   (c)  a meeting of a special committee comprised solely of Councillors-

give public notice of the meeting.

(4A) If urgent or extraordinary circumstances prevent a Council from complying
with subsection (4), the Council must-

   (a)  give such public notice as is practicable; and

   (b)  specify the urgent or extraordinary circumstances which prevented the
        Council from complying with subsection (4) in the minutes.

(5) The Chairperson of a special committee that is not comprised solely of
Councillors must provide reasonable notice to the public of meetings of the
special committee.