From Monday, curious locals will have the chance to tune into the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale council meetings from the comfort of their own homes.
In accordance with mandated reforms to local government, SJ Shire is launching livestreaming for its council meetings.
As part of the legislative regulations brought in last October, all ordinary and special council meetings for larger local governments across WA will be required to be livestreamed from January 1, 2025.
While many local governments had already made this change, the transition-in period has allowed the very few remaining councils – which include SJ Shire – to install suitable audio-visual equipment.
The regulations require local governments to keep recordings online for a period of at least five years.
Despite being slow to adopt the technology, Shire President Rob Coales has highlighted the importance of this state government-decreed initiative.
In fact, the shire’s communication reads as if it this brainchild was theirs; a self-devised plan to enhance transparency.
“The launch of livestreaming for our council meetings is a major milestone for our shire,” he said.
“It reflects our commitment to transparency and ensures that all residents can see their local government at work. We believe that by making council meetings more accessible, we can foster greater trust and engagement within our community.
“We are excited to see how this initiative will enhance civic participation and understanding of local government processes. Our goal is to create a more informed and engaged community, and live streaming is a crucial tool in achieving that.”
From Monday, those interested can access the livestreams and recordings through the shire’s official website and YouTube channel.
