Wingecarribee Shire Council has advised that the previously scheduled councillor briefing on the Draft Wingecarribee Development Control Plan (DCP), to be held on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, has been cancelled.
The cancellation follows the commencement of the Local Government (General) Amendment (Meetings) Regulation 2026, which was announced on 25 June and comes into effect on Friday 26 June, introducing new requirements governing council meeting practices across New South Wales.
Under the new regulation, councillors (other than the Mayor or Chair) are prohibited from meeting with Council staff before Council or committee meetings to discuss matters that are, or will be, listed on the meeting agenda. Questions from councillors must instead be provided and responded to in writing and, where practicable, published before the meeting unless they relate to confidential matters.
As the Draft DCP is scheduled to be considered by Council at the July 2026 Ordinary Meeting, the previously planned public councillor briefing cannot lawfully proceed under the new legislative requirements.
The Draft DCP will be considered by Council at its July 2026 Ordinary Meeting. If Council resolves to place the draft on public exhibition, the community will have the opportunity to review the document and provide feedback during the exhibition period.
