Upper Hunter Shire Council is calling on the State Government to review new regulations that restrict councillors from meeting with council staff to discuss matters that are, or may become, items on a council meeting agenda. The Local Government (General) Amendment (Meetings) Regulation 2026 came into effect on 26 June and introduced several mandatory changes for councils across New South Wales, including a requirement for council and councillor committee meetings to be livestreamed, a change Upper Hunter Shire Council says it already has in place. The regulation also brings in stronger provisions for managing disorderly conduct and new restrictions on councillor briefings. “Council supports measures that improve transparency and accountability, including livestreaming meetings and making recordings available to the community,” Cr Collison said. Article continues after this ad AdvertisementThe concerns will be forwarded to the Minister for Local Government, the Premier, the Member for Upper Hunter, Local Government NSW and neighbouring councils.