Deputations

You can request in writing the opportunity to address Council, known as a ‘deputation’. Deputation requests need to be submitted to the Council 5 days prior to the next Council or Committee meeting. The Presiding Member will give final approval for a deputation to be presented.

Deputations provide an opportunity for the community or interested persons to bring a matter to the attention of the Council.

The subject matter of the presentation must be within the power of council to consider, or is a matter that council is willing to advocate for.

The Local Government (Procedures at Meetings) Regulations 2013 governs how deputations may be conducted.

A person or persons wishing to appear as a deputation at a meeting must deliver a written request to the council:

• by completing the electronic form on Council’s website www.barossa.sa.gov.au; or
• by completing the print form located at the bottom of the page and:
  • by delivery to Council’s principal office located at 43-51 Tanunda Road, Nuriootpa SA 5355, or
  • by post to PO Box 867, Nuriootpa SA 5355, or
  • by email to barossa@barossa.sa.gov.au

A person requesting to appear as a deputation at a meeting must submit a request to the Council 5 (five) business days prior to the meeting to which the deputation relates.

At the Council Meeting:

1. at the allocated time within the meeting agenda you will be invited by the Mayor to sit at the council table
2. you must state your name and the topic you have nominated, (your deputation is limited to the topic you have nominated)
3. you will be allocated up to 10 minutes to speak at the council meeting and Elected Members may then ask you questions
4. you are required to address the Elected Members formally by their title and surname, eg. Mayor Lange, Councillor Boothby, etc
5. following your deputation you will be required to return to the gallery if you wish to view the remainder of the meeting – you will, however, not be permitted to take part in the debate, or ask questions during that time

Please note

A deputation will be part of a public agenda with the meeting accessible to the public. There are no legal rules which protect a speaker from defamation, so please be mindful of this during your deputation.

Presentations, and any other materials, should be sent to council officers by email at least 5 business days prior to the meeting. These materials may be publicly released as part of the council agenda and made accessible on council’s website.