Council meeting moves online due to COVID-19

Port Stephens Council will hold its Ordinary Council meeting via video conference for the first time in an effort to protect the Mayor, Councillors, staff and the community from COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Mayor Ryan Palmer says the move to hold Council meetings online is in line with the current restrictions on public gatherings by the Department of Health and advice from the Office of Local Government.

“Through technology, we will continue to deliver our usual services and provide the community with access to Council meetings,” Mayor Palmer said.

“Moving meetings online also allows Council to adhere to government measures in place preventing public gatherings to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while ensuring we continue to deliver our usual services for our community.

“This is a first for Port Stephens, we are living in unprecedented times and the health and wellbeing of all people should be everyone’s priority at this time,” he added.

Applications to speak at Public Access must be received electronically by the Mayor’s Office by 12 noon Monday prior to the Tuesday of the Ordinary Meeting.