In June 2023 we consulted with our Charles Sturt community to ask whether council meetings should be livestreamed. The report was presented to Council at a meeting on Monday 24 July.
Consultations are an opportunity for our community to share thoughts and feedback on various topics. It is the results of a consultation that help inform Council’s decision-making. The results of this consultation (93% voted yes out of 90 respondents), formed part of a detailed review of our policy as to whether City of Charles Sturt council meetings should be livestreamed in the future.
The council debated this topic extensively and weighed up a range of competing considerations. Those factors (among others) debated were the potential for misuse of screenshots and video and the potential for mocking, defamatory and hyper critical commentary. This was weighed up against the consultation sentiment and the improved access for people who may not able to attend a live public meeting. Council also discussed that this is a one way form of communication and that the current access to individual elected members is good, as is the opportunity for community members to make presentations (deputations) to Council on topics of interest and relevance to them.
As a result of the meeting’s decision there will be no change to the policy and at this stage the City of Charles Sturt will not be livestreaming Council meetings.
For more information about the consultation visit Your Say Charles Sturt.