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.
Petitions should adhere to certain standards to ensure the message is conveyed in a clear and concise manner, including:
- It is an original document prepared in the preferred template(PDF, 47KB).
- The petition must contain a cover page detailing the request, suggestion or grievance and the name of the principal petitioner.
- Each subsequent page must also contain the request, suggestion or grievance and signatures of supporting petitioners.
- 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.
The petition must be signed by at least 10 people, clearly stating their name and address. Each person must only sign once directly onto the petition form and not pasted or otherwise affixed or transferred to the petition.
The petition should be addressed to either the relevant Division Councillor or the Chief Executive Officer and be sent:
Once received the relevant Divisional Councillor will present the petition to a Council General Meeting. In accordance with the Council's meeting procedure, the relevant Councillor may move that the petition be received and referred to the relevant area of Council for investigation and report back to Council, if required.
The principal petitioner will be advised in writing of Council's decision, following the relevant General Meeting.
Find out more about petitioning other levels of the Australian government: