On Monday night, Kiama Municipal Council believes it will become the first council in Australia to allow formal public access presentations from outside its meeting venue.
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The council began webcasting its ordinary council meetings in May, but from Monday will trial "remote" public access using its NBN-enabled video conferencing technology to allow people to address meetings from outside the council chambers.
Previously, people had to physically attend the meetings to address the council.
Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said using video conferencing technology was another step in the council's communications strategy.
"We are fortunate that we have the digital technology that enables us to do this," Cr Petschler said.
"Monday night is part of a trial run so we will see how it goes. We still need to establish some protocols and after the meeting we will look at what changes need to be made to further develop it in the future."
Recordings of Kiama Council meetings, linked to the business paper agenda, are stored and accessible to the community via council's website kiama.nsw.gov.au within 48 hours of the meeting.
