Starting Jan. 1, 2026, all NSW councils must live-stream public forums under new state rules.

Starting January 1, 2026, Bathurst Regional Council must live-stream its public forums under new state rules. The updated Model Code of Meeting Practice, issued by the Office of Local Government, requires all councils to adopt mandatory live-streaming by December 31, 2025. While the council already streams ordinary and policy committee meetings, public forums were previously not webcast due to privacy, legal, and cost concerns. The new draft code also sets limits: speakers must apply by 4pm the day before, cover up to two topics in four minutes each, and forums are capped at one hour. Public feedback on the draft is open until October 31, 2025. The rules will apply to all councils nationwide from 2026.