As part of an updated Code of Meeting Practice that Council voted on in June, members of the public were no longer able to speak at the 'Open Day' section of a council meeting on subjects that aren't listed in the business papers published ahead of time.

Another change was to limit the number of speakers on a particular subject two a maximum of two for or against.

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A notice of rescission by councillors, Holden, Martens, Thompson and Karavas was defeated 5-4 at Wednesdays Council meeting.

Mayor Des Kennedy spoke against the rescission motion.

"Could you imagine if - we all pay tax do we? - if we all went to Federal parliament every time they had a meeting and said 'I want to talk about my road in wherever'. You'd get no business done. This is bigger picture than were talking here, people have the opportunity to speak at the council meting where the business paper is applicable, that is sufficient..." Cr Kennedy said.

"We're not hard to find If you have a problem outside the business paper. It's ridiculous to think if a controversial decision was coming up and 27 people came and talked about the same thing. Absolutely ridiculous."

However a motion put forward by Cr Paine that reversed the restrictions on subject matter but retained the rules on how many people can speak was successful with only councillors Martens, Thompson and O'Neill voting against it.

The amended Code of Meeting Practice will go on public exhibition for 28 days where members of the public can have their say before it is voted on again at a future Council meeting.

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