Shire’s in-person council meetings to return

THE Surf Coast Shire will return to in-person council meetings open to the public for the first time in almost a year.

The next scheduled council meeting is on April 27, and the shire confirmed last week it would be held in the usual fashion; in the council chambers in Torquay North.

The council has been holding virtual meetings – in which the nine councillors, acting chief executive officer and shire staff work through the agenda via Zoom – each month since May 26 last year in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

This followed the passage of emergency COVID-19 legislation (the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020) through the Victorian Parliament, which enabled “virtual” council meetings to be held between May 1 and November 2, 2020.

The time period for virtual council meetings was later extended to April 26.

“Council is looking forward to meeting in person and welcoming a public gallery for the first time since February 2020,” a shire spokesperson said.

“COVID safety measures will be in place in accordance with state government guidelines, and the meetings will continue to be live streamed on the council’s website providing flexibility for people wishing to view the meetings.”

The City of Greater Geelong has been holding in-person meetings since February 2, 2021.