Wanneroo residents to get five years’ access to council recordings

City of Wanneroo residents will have at least five years to access recordings of council proceedings under a policy considered on 22 September. Recordings must be published through the City’s online channels within 14 days of each meeting.

The policy covers Ordinary and Special Council Meetings, Agenda Briefing Forums and meetings of electors. It also covers public question time and deputations, but not portions of meetings closed under section 5.23 of the Local Government Act 1995.

Once a recording is published on the City’s website, members of the public can listen to it online. They can also buy a copy.

Charges for public copies will include the staff time required to prepare the recording and the cost of the digital copy. The staff component will be set each financial year through the City’s Schedule of Fees and Charges.

Council members can request a copy of a council proceeding recording at no charge. All council members must be notified when a recording is requested by a member of the public or by another council member.

The policy states that electronic recording content belongs to the City of Wanneroo. Reproduction without the City’s written authorisation is prohibited.

It also covers audio and video recording by the City, including public question time and deputations. Meetings held away from the City’s usual meeting place, and recording failures involving the City’s equipment, are to be handled under the relevant state local-government regulations.

The policy assigns responsibility for implementation to the Manager Corporate Governance and Council Services. It also requires the City to print a notice about recording in the agendas for covered meetings.

For residents checking council proceedings, the policy sets a clear publication deadline, a five-year minimum access period and a formal process for obtaining copies. The recordings remain subject to the City’s rules on access, notification and reproduction.