Updated Governance Rules Strengthen Transparency and Community Partici
Published on 20 July 2026
Southern Grampians Shire Council has adopted updated Governance Rules to make Council meetings more transparent and accessible to the community. The Governance Rules establish how Council meetings are conducted, how decisions are made and how members of the public can participate in Council's democratic processes.
Under the changes made, public participation has been enhanced, with speaking time for deputations extended from three to four minutes and all representatives of a deputation now able to address Council, providing an expanded opportunity for community members and groups to present their views.
Some procedures that are already followed by Council have been solidified, including meeting agendas being placed on the Council website by close of business on the Friday before a meeting and recordings of livestreamed Council meetings being made available alongside meeting minutes on Council's website.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Cr Dennis Heslin said the changes were about ensuring Council's decision-making processes continued to evolve alongside community expectations.
"Good governance is about making sure our community can easily understand how and why decisions are made, and ensuring there are meaningful opportunities for them to participate," Cr Heslin said.
The updated Rules reflect local government best practice while introducing several practical improvements that will give residents more time to engage with Council decisions and more opportunities to have their voices heard.
"We feel that these changes serve to strengthen transparency, improve access to information and make it simpler and more intuitive for residents to engage with Council on the issues that matter to them.
"The updated Rules also simplify the process and deadlines for residents who want to ask Questions on Notice or speak on agenda items, making participation processes more consistent and easier to understand.
Cr Heslin said while many of the amendments clarified existing practices or reflected changes to legislation and Council policies, the overall focus remained on continuous improvement.
"Strong governance underpins everything Council does," he said. "By regularly reviewing our Governance Rules, we're ensuring our meeting procedures remain fair, transparent and responsive to the needs of both Councillors and community."
The updated Governance Rules were developed following a review of Council's existing procedures and informed by recommendations contained within the draft Victorian Model Governance Rules. The draft Rules were placed on public exhibition in May, with community feedback considered before the final version was presented to Council for adoption.
To read the updated Governance rules, head to our website.
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