Council to live stream meeting for first time

Published: 11 Mar 2019

There will be new meaning to lights, cameras, action at this week’s council meeting when live streaming begins.

The council chambers have been fitted out with state-of-the-art cameras and audio equipment to enable meetings to be live streamed.

The ordinary meeting this Wednesday (March 13) will be the first Mackay Regional Council meeting to be live streamed.

Anyone wanting to watch the meeting live will be able to do so via council’s Youtube channel, with the video to also be embedded on council’s website.

Mayor Greg Williamson said he was not sure how many people would tune into the live stream, but council was pleased to be able to provide the ability for people to do so.

“I’ve had a look at the TV guide for 10am Wednesday and we’re up against the likes of Today Extra on Channel Nine and the Morning Show on Channel 7,’’ Cr Williamson joked.

“Many people will also be at work at this time, so we’re not expecting the ratings to be huge for our live stream,’’ he said.

“But the good thing is anyone with an interest in proceedings or a particular item on the agenda, who can’t make it to the meeting to sit in the public gallery, can watch online.

“Recordings of these live streams will also be available for the public to access if they want to see and hear what was said during debate and discussion on items.

“This will also be a good resource for the region’s schools for government studies.

“The live streaming is part of our ongoing commitment to be as transparent as possible about the business of council.”

A notice informing anyone attending council meetings that they are being live streamed will be displayed on one of the large screens in the chambers.

“This is important as we do have an opportunity for public participation at each of our ordinary meetings,’’ Cr Williamson said.

Anyone wanting to watch the live stream on Wednesday can do so from 10am at youtube.com/user/counciltv or mackay.qld.gov.au/livestream