DISQUS

Greg Naylor · 1 year ago

The video without sound might be more entertaining than with the sound. You could have fun interpreting the body language ;)

Keep on with that project Keiran. As an avid 'council follower' living 50 km from the council chambers, a live feed of the meetings would be welcomed by other 'council followers' ... it might even engender a few more people in engaging their civil interest.

KieranBennett · 1 year ago

I'll be showing up to Monday's ordinary council meeting, hopefully council will pass a motion there granting me permission to record.

In private the councillors I have spoken too have been supportive of my request, but what happens when it comes time to pass a motion is anyone's guess.

Ed Foulston · 1 year ago

The only issue that I have with recording is subsequent editing, Kieren may have the integrity to transmit the meeting without 'playing' but there is no guarantee someone else may not. I would like to see live video streaming via a council server and will work towards that. Don't know how long that will take.

KieranBennett · 1 year ago

Subsequent editing?!

You have a problem with people using footage of council meetings to comment on council?

Come now, the idea that council should control public access to information/opinion about council is preposterous, and by denying my request on those grounds that is what you are doing.

Ed Foulston · 1 year ago

No I don't have a problem with people using footage of council to comment on council, I have a problem with any out of context quotes from any media source, I realise it is something I will have to put up with over the next four years but I don't have to like it nor do I have to make it easy. You haven't commented on the idea of council streaming video.

I am also suprised that I have only read criticism based on 'transparency' issues. I would have thought that being green you would have more issue with what council intends to do about reducing carbon emissions emissions at a local level, global warming, water resource management, exotic versus australian plantings, parks and gardens, sustainability, grey water recycling, youth concerns, aged concern, community activities, neighbourhood engagement and others or is it you can't make those into a controversial topic as easily as transparency and secrecy in government or are you keeping those on hand when this topic loses its punch with those that respond to your blogs.

Kate · 1 year ago

Ed, I don't know if you have done any formal debating but, you lose the argument when you start attacking the person.

Come on, tell the truth. The biggest problem with audio recording council meetings is that Wodonga residents will actually know what was said without having to drag themselves out on a Monday night.

Live streaming... I do believe Kieran suggested that to council last year. I suppose you weren't following local affairs back then before you were getting a wage.

macrame · 1 year ago

Live streaming of council would be terrific, Kieran.

There the punters could see/hear the new councillors in action.
I wanted to hear their opinions (rather than wangman, speedie and mahood bang on) when council added another million dollars for land in bardanduda to their budget.

Maybe Kieran, you should set up a prototype and "show case" to council/community what you hope to achieve. Then lots more people can see how these councillors perform or don't.

Alex Schlotzer · 1 year ago

I agree that live streaming of Council meetings would be awesome. It is a total shame that Councils, a great majority in my experience, don't allow any kind of recording of the meetings, unless it's the official recording that is.

For the most part it would seem the reasoning behind this is purely politically motivated to stop Councils, and individual Councillors, from being caught out and later embarrassed. But I think that having meetings streamed live or even recorded for broader public consumption would mean they'd have to play nice at least.

Thanks for posting about this topic Kieran.

KieranBennett · 1 year ago

Tonight I rang Albury City Council about videoing their meetings. No can do. I was even told off for taking photos in the meeting (not that the "mainstream" Border Mail photojournalist copped any flack for walking around like he owned the joint).

They do an official recording, but don't make it public. I can see why, their councillors act like pigs.

Greg Naylor · 1 year ago

At Albury, is there a by-law or regulation that prohibits this activity or is that an ad-hoc response from the person you spoke with?

As it is now a requirement of councils to have a web-site that discloses certain information about the municipality, how would a petition go seeking a podcast - on their website - of all ordinary or special public meetings go? If the petition is tabled, it would at least have to be discussed at the following meeting.

This issue needs more public exposure and maybe a few questions from the gallery at question time might make the issue wider heard in the community.

If I am up to it, I will enquire of my council about recording or, at least, seeking a podcast of their official recording.

Ray Dixon · 1 year ago

Oh, good luck with CEO Mr Sharp at Wang, Greg. I'm not sure how to describe that man but didn't Dave write something about a couple in America who named their kid Adolf Hitler?

KieranBennett · 1 year ago

Greg, I'll be sending a formal request to council just to be sure.

The patronising attitude of the staff member I dealt with was just galling.

"I notice you've been taking photos, what do you intend to do with them?"
"Publish them on my website, is that so strange?"
"But you don't have the permission of the councillors!"
"I don't need permission, they're public persons in a public place"
"Well maybe not... but if you want to develop a good working relationship with the councillors..."

And the tone of voice it was said in... to quote Homer Simpson, "Urge to kill rising!"

Andrew · 12 months ago

There have been staff at both Albury and Wodonga councils trying to get live streaming of meetings up and running for a while now.

It's just a shame that it takes Kieren and Cr Wareham (wanker) to even get it considered.

Maybe the Councillors are afraid of people actually seeing how they behave. I'm sure the staff will delight in showing the world how childish and scheeming they really are.

Ed Foulston · 11 months ago

G'day Kate, I am a simple man, who am I attacking? in what way? I thought I was asking about green policies, or maybe I wasn't, please clarify. As to getting a wage, I am self employed so I actually lose money working for the residents of Wodonga ( I can hear your Bah Humbug from here). There were far bigger issues than live streming occuring in the last 2 years. Dandenong already have it and Albury are investigating. I think I will wait for them for info so I don't attempt to reinvent the wheel.