Asking questions at Council meetings

Questions should submitted in writing no later than 12 noon on the day prior to a scheduled council meeting. This gives us opportunity to properly investigate the question and provide a meaningful response at the meeting.

The schedule of Council meeting dates and times is available on our website.

You can submit up to one (1) question per Council meeting.

This must not be a multi-part question.

Keep questions as brief as possible. Submissions should not exceed 200 words.

Your question should be in writing and in English unless this unreasonably prevents or hinders you from participating.

Contact us on (03) 9217 2170 if you need some help.

If you’ve submitted your question on time and followed the guidelines, your question will be read out at the Council meeting and a response provided, even if you're unable to attend.

You’re not required to attend the meeting for your question to be read out.

Certain questions will be given priority:

• questions or statements that relate to matters that relate to agenda items (including speaking to a Petition or Joint Letter)
• those submitted prior to 12 noon the day prior to the Council meeting.

• Questions and/or statements will be read by the CEO’s delegate and a response provided by the CEO. 
• Only one question can be asked per meeting. If a person submits more than one question, the first question submitted will be read.
• Similar questions may be grouped together and a single answer provided at the Council meeting.
• All questions and answers should be as brief as possible, and no discussion may be allowed other than by Councillors for the purposes of clarification.

Following the meeting, the response to your public submission will be documented in the meeting minutes.

Any questions received after 12 noon the day prior to the scheduled Council meeting will be held over to the next meeting.

Rule 48 of the  Governance Rules detail reasons why questions or submissions may be disallowed.

We’re committed to ensuring that all residents and ratepayers can contribute to our democratic process. We want our residents to feel confident in participating and engaging with us.

Contact us if you need support or would like to discuss 'reasonable accommodations' to submit a question or attend a Council meeting.

Unable to attend a meeting

If you are unable to attend the Council meeting in person for any reason, including because of an ‘attribute’ as defined in the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (e.g. a disability) you may nominate a representative to attend on your behalf.

Need support to submit a question

You may wish to submit a question but:

• are unable to provide your question in writing and/or in English
• would like to make alternate arrangements.

If so, please call our Governance Team before a Council meeting on 03 9217 2170 to discuss other ways to submit your question.

Submit your question via our online form.

Submit a question to Council online

Download a form and submit your question to civic.administration@whittlesea.vic.gov.au 

Questions to Council form(DOC, 292KB)

You can download the form and submit by fax to 03 9409 9880.

Questions to Council form(DOC, 292KB)

Download the form and submit your question by mail to:

Locked Bag 1, Bundoora MDC VIC 3083 

Questions to Council form(DOC, 292KB)

Deliver your question to the Customer Service Desk at our Council Offices.

Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang.