THE next City of Ballarat council meeting will be a completely online affair following temporary legislation that allows for changes to attendance requirements.<\/p>\n
Included in a sweeping omnibus bill approved by the Victorian Parliament last week, the measures mean councillors and officers will be able to take part in council and other statutory meetings via teleconferencing.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a move Ballarat mayor Cr Ben Taylor said council had been lobbying for since the introduction of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe, as a council, welcome the opportunity to continue our valuable work while ensuring we stick to the current stage three social distancing guidelines,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very relieved that we can continue to carry out the business of running the City of Ballarat and ensuring we can steer the municipality through these difficult times without putting ourselves in any danger.\u201d<\/p>\n
The City of Ballarat has been streaming council meetings online since mid-last year and the last two events have seen the public and media prevented from being in the room.<\/p>\n
Since the introduction of movement and personal distancing restrictions councillors have been seated about two meters apart from each other, first in the Trench Room and then back in chambers for last week\u2019s meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seemed a bit bizarre that we were being forced to meet face to face when all the other restrictions were urging us to stay in our homes apart from the four reasons of shopping for essential services, medical care, giving care to others or exercising,\u201d said Cr Taylor.<\/p>\n