Presenting Submissions at Council Hearings

Structure of submissions

• Start by introducing yourself and/or your organisation. Provide a brief description of your background, and your organisation's objectives, activities and membership base.
  
  
• Where you have made efforts to resolve your concerns directly with the council state this and the reasons why no resolution was achieved (without directly attacking the bona fides of council officers).
  
  
• State concisely the issues which are of concern to you.
  
  
• Where there is more than one person involved in presenting your case, state who will be giving submissions or evidence and on what issues. Each issue of concern should have a separate section in your submission. This should state in more detail the nature of your concern, provide supporting information to support your concern, and clearly state what action you would like the council to take in order to address the concern.
  
  
• Where you agree with the conclusions of the officer's report say so. Where you differ, identify these points clearly and state why you differ.
  
  
• Include a brief concluding section which summarises the essence of your concerns and action sought.
  
  
• Thank the hearing body for taking the time to hear and consider your submissions.