Council meetings move back to Chambers

The meeting on Wednesday (January 27) will be conducted in the Chambers under a COVID Safe Plan.

Councillors, staff and any members of the public registered to attend will have to abide by requirements of the plan to ensure safety measures, including social distancing, are met.

Council meetings since the 2020 local government elections were held in the MECC to meet social distancing requirements.

Mayor Greg Williamson said meetings could now return to the Chambers under a COVID Safe Plan as COVID-19 restrictions started to ease.

He said he and councillors were looking forward to the return to the Chambers.

“The MECC did a great job hosting us for most of 2020 and we thank them for that. However, the Chambers are the spiritual home of council and it will be good to be making decisions for the Mackay community there again.”

Community members were unable to attend meetings at the MECC for much of 2020 due to COVID restrictions before public participation returned in a limited capacity towards the end of the year.

Mayor Williamson said those public participation requirements remained in place in the Chambers.

“Up to five members of the public are able to attend council meetings as long as they book to attend by 4.30pm the day before the meeting and follow the adopted COVID Safe guidelines for the Chambers,’’ he said.

Bookings can be made with Pam Jaenke by emailing councillor.support@mackay.qld.gov.au or phoning 4961 9467.

Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. All ordinary meetings of council are also livestreamed on council’s website and YouTube channel.