Petition to Council

• What is a petition?
• What are the rules for petitions?
• What are the procedures for signing the petition?
• Who do I address the petition to?
• How is the petition actioned?
• How do I know a decision has been made?
• How do I petition other levels of government?

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What is a petition?

A petition is a formal request used to lobby a law-making body such as local government. It may request an amendment to general law or the review of an administrative decision. The petition is placed before the law-making body with the object of implementing the particular action or amendment. Petitioning is one of the traditional forms by which people can make requests direct to Council.

What are the rules for petitions?

Petitions should adhere to certain standards that ensure the message is conveyed in a clear and succinct manner, including:

• It is an original document prepared with the correct forms
• Each page must contain the request, suggestion or grievance and name of the principle petitioner
• Each page must be numbered (e.g. 1 of 5, 2 of 5…)
• The petition is clearly written or printed and be free from erasures or alterations
• The document does not contain offensive, defamatory, indecent, or abusive language or substance

What are the procedures for signing the petition?

The petition must be signed by at least 10 persons, each only signing once directly onto the petition form and not pasted or otherwise affixed or transferred to the petition.  The signatory pages must also contain the wording of the petition on each page.

Who do I address the petition to?

The petition should be addressed to either the relevant Divisional Councillor or the Chief Executive Officer and posted to Moreton Bay Regional Council, PO Box 159 Caboolture, Qld 4510 or physically handed to a Customer Service Centre.

How is the petition actioned?

Once received, the relevant Divisional Councillor will present the petition to a Council General Meeting. In accordance with the Council’s Meeting Law, the relevant councillor may move that the petition be received and referred to the relevant area of Council for investigation. A report is then presented to a subsequent Council General Meeting for a decision.

How do I know a decision has been made?

The principle petitioner will be advised in writing of Council’s decision, following the relevant General Meeting.

How do I petition other levels of government?

Click on the following links to find out more about petitioning other levels of Australian government.

• Petition to House of Representatives (Federal government website) 
• Petition to Senate (Federal government website) 
• Petition to Queensland Parliament (State government website) 

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