Review of Code of Practice for Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents

Council is seeking community feedback on the draft Code of Practice for Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents.

Background

Section 92 of the Act requires each council to prepare and adopt a code of practice relating to the principles, policies, procedures and practices that the council will apply in relation to public access to council and committee meetings and minutes of council and committee meetings and release of documents.

The Act also sets out that an adopted code of practice relating to access to council and committee meetings and documents must undertake public consultation on any proposed alterations or substitute codes.

Since Council's Code of Practice for Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents (the Code) was adopted on 3 September 2023, Council has trialled and implemented administrative meeting efficiencies that have prompted a review of the Code.

A period of engagement with the community will inform on the proposed changes, understand community preferences on access, and ensure Council meets its legislative obligations.

While the Code is largely implementing legislated obligations, Community may advise Council of their preferences on when, where and how they access Council and Committee meetings and documents.

All relevant feedback will be considered and may change wording to the final draft revised policy or reflected in our internal processes.

How you can provide feedback

Council is seeking feedback on the draft Code of Practice for Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents. Consultation is open from 14 October to 4 November 2026 and you can provide feedback by:

• Completing the online feedback form
• Sending an email to yoursay@mountbarker.sa.gov.au
• Sending a written submission to PO Box 54, Mount Barker SA 5251 or delivering to the Local Government Centre, 6 Dutton Road, Mount Barker

How feedback will be used

All relevant feedback will be considered and may change wording to the final draft revised policy or reflected in our internal processes. The revised Code will be presented to Council for adoption at the December 2026 Council Meeting.