WANNEROO MLA Paul Miles has called on the City of Wanneroo to live stream council meetings over the internet.
He has written to Mayor Tracey Roberts requesting the City investigate and adopt the practice following its recent decision to increase security measures at meetings and briefing sessions.
Mr Miles said it would enable anyone denied entry under the measures to watch proceedings via the live stream.
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READ NOW“I believe that live streaming council meetings over the internet would give the City of Wanneroo an innovative edge that would improve both accessibility and transparency of the City’s decision-making process,” he said.
“This would also bring the City of Wanneroo into line with numerous other local governments, including the City of Joondalup.
“Although I understand there will be a cost associated with live streaming, I strongly believe that the benefits to ratepayers will greatly outweigh any potential costs that are involved.”
Wanneroo’s corporate strategy and performance director Noelene Jennings said residents, ratepayers and other interested parties were encouraged to attend the public meetings.
“The City has previously undertaken an investigation into the use of live streaming for council meetings but considered that the costs associated with live streaming did not represent value for money, particularly given the limited requests from the community,” she said.
“The City does, however, record all council meetings in accordance with the City’s recording and access to recordings of council meetings policy which can be viewed on the City’s website.”