Alice Springs Town Council restructures meeting arrangements

In a bid to be more to be more open to the public, Alice Springs Town Council has tweaked its meeting arrangements to ensure elected officials can be approached before council enters confidential discussions.

Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson. Picture: Supplied

Alice Springs residents will soon be able to confront their elected members prior to confidential council chamber meetings in a move aimed at ensuring “critical” matters are raised before closed room discussions.

On Thursday, Alice Springs Town Council announced council meetings had been restructured, with the open section of ordinary council meetings moved ahead of the confidential section.

The move means members of the public can now enter the council chamber and ask questions of their elected members ahead of closed door deliberation or discussion.

Alice Springs Town Council has a new arrangement in place for its meetings. Picture: Alex Treacy

Mayor Matt Paterson said the new arrangement was considered “best practice” nationwide.

“This move allows us to follow what is considered best practice around the country and comes with guidance from the Department of Local Government,” he said.

“It also ensures that the most critical items we discuss as a Council are front and centre.”

“The most important thing for residents to know is that if you have a question for your elected members, you can address us at the beginning of the meeting.”

The new meeting structure will be in place for the next Ordinary Council Meeting on August 27, 2024, beginning at 9am in the Council Chamber, with all members of the public “welcome to attend”.