Attending Council and Standing Committee meetings

The public is welcome to attend all Brisbane City Council meetings each Tuesday afternoon from 1pm during session, and most Standing Committee meetings each Tuesday from 8.30am during session. 

Bookings are not required to attend meetings. It is recommended that visitors arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting to allow sufficient time for the sign in and security process. For Council meetings, there is seating in the public gallery. City Hall staff will direct you to the designated visitor seating area.

The media regularly attends Council meetings and reports proceedings from special seating allocated in the chamber.

The Council Chamber and Committee rooms can accommodate people with a disability. Find out how to access City Hall or phone Council on 07 3403 8888 to speak to City Hall Operations.

Rules of attending ordinary Council meetings

Visitors are bound by the Meetings Local Law 2001 and conditions of entry to the public gallery area. Visitors must not interrupt the conduct of business and maintain strict silence. It is prohibited to record or photograph from the public gallery, unless first approved by the Chair of Council.

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Speaking at ordinary Council meetings

You can apply for approval to speak at ordinary Council meetings. Approval to address Council lies with the Chair of Council.

Accommodations will be made for people with a disability. On the application to address Council, complete the sections on Auslan, mobility aids and/or special needs. This will ensure suitable arrangements are made if required. Find out how to access City Hall or phone Council on 07 3403 8888 to speak to City Hall Operations.

Your topic must be on a matter of public interest. It is up to the Chair of Council whether the matter is relevant.

If you receive approval to address an ordinary Council meeting, the following rules apply:

  • you have a maximum of five minutes to speak
  • no one in the meeting can interrupt you
  • Councillors cannot debate any issue you raise
  • the Lord Mayor or a Standing Committee Civic Cabinet Chair may respond on Council's behalf. You must not interrupt or debate any of the issues, otherwise you'll be given a written response as soon as possible.

Download an application form to speak at an ordinary Council meeting:

You can also collect an application by visiting Council or from any Ward Office.

Submit the form by:

For questions about the process or structure of public participant speeches, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 to speak to the Council and Committee Liaison Office. 

Rules of attending Standing Committee meetings

If you attend a Standing Committee meeting, you must not:

  • interrupt the meeting
  • talk, even in whispers
  • enter or leave the Committee room after the meeting has started
  • argue with the Chair, if they ask you to leave for any reason.

Rules of procedure

Council operates under the conventions and practices of the Westminster system of government, similar to those of the Australian Parliament. The following rules apply to Council meetings:

  • Councillors must stand in their places to speak, unless unable to do so due to a disability
  • Councillors may speak once only to a motion for a maximum of 10 minutes (unless granted an extension of time)
  • motions must be seconded
  • the mover of a motion has the right of reply before the vote is taken
  • votes are decided on the strength of voices. If a division is required, the Councillor's votes are recorded individually. If the votes are equal, the motion is lost
  • a point of order may be raised for alleged breaches of the Rules of Procedure
  • it is customary that all persons acknowledge the Chair of Council when entering and leaving the chamber.
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Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.