Opportunities for public participation include:

7.1 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

The Council seeks the views of the community in a number of projects in which it is involved. Community involvement can range from surveys seeking the opinions of residents in relation to traffic treatments to park designs in conjunction with community artists.

In order to seek the opinions of the community the Council requires that a number of development applications are advertised for public comment prior to their approval and community workshops are conducted to encourage residents’ input into developing the City.

The Council has a statutory obligation to advertise and invite public submissions relating to proposals to adopt or modify Local Laws.

Visit our Community Consultation page here

7.2 ELECTED MEMBERS

7.2.1 How to Contact the Mayor and Councillors

Members of the public can contact their Ward Councillors or the Mayor to discuss any issue relevant to the Council.

Contact telephone numbers for the Elected Members are listed in the “Your Members of Council” brochure. These are available from council offices.

Residents wishing to write to Councillors are encouraged to send their correspondence to the respective Councillor via the mail address below:

c/- City of Melville
Locked Bag 1
BOORAGOON WA 6954

7.2.2 Council Elections

The Council Elections are held in October every second year and members are elected to the voluntary positions for a four (4) year term. The Council Elections are held every second year and one half of the Council retires at each election.

The Mayor is elected by the residents of the City for a four (4) year term and the Deputy Mayor serves a term of one (1) year and is elected by the Members of the Council.

Although voting in local government elections is not compulsory, ratepayers and residents are encouraged to exercise their democratic right. For more information on “How to Vote” contact the Manager, Information and Corporate Support on (08) 9364 0616.

7.3 WRITTEN REQUESTS

Residents can write to the Council on any Council policy, activity or service.

7.4 ORDINARY MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL

Ordinary Meetings of Council are held on the third Tuesday of each calendar month and commence at 6.30pm. Special Meetings of the Council may also be convened.

The public may attend any Ordinary or Special Meeting of Council or Agenda Forums, however, they may not take part in the debate.

Members of the public have a number of opportunities in person, by writing or contacting Elected Members to put forward their views on particular issues before the Council.

7.4.1 Petitions

Written petitions in the format as described in the Standing Orders can be addressed to the Mayor and the Councillors of the Council on any issue within the Council’s jurisdiction and will be presented at the next Ordinary Meeting of the Council.

7.4.2 Question Time

Question Time is held prior to the commencement of all Agenda Forums and Ordinary Meetings of the Council for a period of fifteen (15) minutes. Electors can submit questions relating to the ordinary business of the Council in writing before the meeting and will receive an answer either at the meeting or shortly after by mail.

7.5 COMMITTEE MEETINGS – DEPUTATIONS

With the prior permission of the Presiding Member of the Agenda Forum and the Chief Executive Officer, a deputation consisting of no more than two (2) speakers may address the Committee for a period of fifteen (15) minutes on a particular issue.

7.6 ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL

An Advisory Committee may be appointed to advise the Council on the establishment, management and control of anything for which the Council is responsible and chooses to refer to a Committee.

Management Committees exercise powers delegated in relation to the control and maintenance of property for which the Council is responsible.

The function and membership of the various advisory and management committees are contained in the “Details of Representation on Committees” document which is available from the Civic Centre.

7.7 MEETINGS OF COUNCIL AND ELECTORS

The Local Government Act provides for the conduct of Electors’ Meetings which may be of a general or special nature.

7.7.1 General Electors’ Meeting

A General Electors’ Meeting is held each financial year, usually after the audit for that year has been completed. The City of Melville’s General Meeting of Electors is scheduled to be held on the last Wednesday in November each year. At the General Meeting of Electors the following business takes place:

• receiving of the annual financial statements;
• reading of the auditor’s reports;
• reading of the Mayor’s report;
• discussion of special matters, of which notice has been given; and
• general business, as the Chairperson or Electors determine.

7.7.2 Special Electors’ Meeting

A Special Electors’ Meeting may be convened at the written request of 5% or at least 100 of the electors of the district (the lesser number), or by at least one-third of the Councillors. Special meetings are restricted to discussion of a particular matter, details of which must be included in the notice of the meeting, which must be published in a local newspaper.