Central Coast Council's Code of Meeting Practice, Code of Conduct and Public Forum Policy have been reviewed and were on public exhibition for your feedback.

Thank you to those who reviewed the draft Code of Conduct. Council received no submissions.

At the 26 August Ordinary Council Meeting, the code was adopted. The final version of this code can be found below.

The draft Code of Conduct sets the standards of behaviour expected for Council officials, promoting fairness, respect and safety in all Council activities. The policy helps ensure decisions are made in the public interest, protects against conflicts of interest, and outlines how complaints and misconduct are handled to maintain trust and transparency in local government.

The Code of Conduct assists Council officials to:

• understand and comply with the standards of conduct that are expected of them
• enable them to fulfil their statutory duty to act honestly and exercise a reasonable degree of care and diligence
• act in a way that enhances public confidence in local government

Council is required to review its Code of Conduct within the first 12 months of a Council election of Councillors. Changes to the previous Code of Conduct are minimal.

To have your say on the draft code you could:

• View the draft code
• Complete the online submission form
• Email: engagement@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or
• Write to Council: PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259.

Submissions closed Thursday 31 July 2025.

Your attention is drawn to the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 which allows for possible access to certain public and personal documentation. View our privacy statement.

Thank you to those who reviewed the draft Public Forum Policy or made a submission. Council received one submission.

At the 26 August Ordinary Council Meeting, the policy was adopted. The final version of this policy can be found below.

The draft Public Forum Policy outlines how members of the community can speak directly to Council about items on the agenda of upcoming Council meetings. It sets clear rules on frequency and structure, requesting to speak, limits on the number of speakers and expected conduct.

The policy aims to make Council decision-making more transparent and inclusive by giving residents a structured opportunity to share their views before decisions are made.

Changes to the previous Public Forum Policy include:

• Clause 4.18 regulating how speakers will be determined when speaker numbers exceed the number allowed in Clause 4.13
• Clause 4.7 now requires speakers to make an application by 12noon on the day prior to the public forum in lieu of 10am on the day of the meeting.

To have your say on the draft policy you could:

• View the draft policy
• Complete the online submission form
• Email: engagement@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or
• Write to Council: PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259.

Submissions closed Thursday 31 July 2025.

Your attention is drawn to the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 which allows for possible access to certain public and personal documentation. View our privacy statement.

To learn more about the Code of Meeting Practice exhibition, view the dedicated project page.