How to lodge a petition to Council
Members of the public can inform Council about their concerns by lodging a petition.
A petition is a direct request to Council that it take some particular course of action.
Signing a petition is an important way for citizens and groups to make their concerns known to Council. Petitions must be signed by at least one person, but are often signed by many people who are hoping to influence the Council on a particular matter.
The Guidelines for Lodging a Petition provide information about how a petition can be lodged for Council’s consideration.
You can use our Petition Template to ensure your petition meets the criteria outlined below. Each page of the petition should have the “Petition Statement” outlining the matter to be raised and action the petitioners would like Council to take.
Petitions
- Petitions may be considered by the Council provided that they relate to matters on which Council has the power to act.
- Petitions must include the full name and residential address as well as the signature of each petitioner.
- Electronically signed petitions must include the full name and residential address.
Lodging a Petition
A person may lodge an original petition with the Council by addressing it to:
Byron Shire Council - Petitions
70 Station Street
Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Or you can email your petition to council@byron.nsw.gov.au
What happens with my petition
Petitions submitted to Council two weeks prior to a Council meeting will be included in the next meeting agenda. If Council receives a petition after the two week time frame the petition will be presented at the following Council meeting.
- A petition with less than 100 signatures will be tabled at the next Council meeting for information.
- A petition with more than 100 signatures but less than 1000 signatures will be reported to Council with staff comment and recommendation for determination by Council.
- A petition with more than 1000 signatures will be reported to Council to consider initiating community engagement on the topic.
If the petition is lodged as part of a submission process then it will be reported in line with the other submissions.