A policy outlining how and when council information will be made publicly available is out for community consultation.

Noting building community trust and understanding are amongst the key goals, Baw Baw Shire Cr Suzanne Allen put forward an alternative motion to go beyond the officer recommendation to adopt the revised "public transparency policy."
"For this really to be a transparency policy that engages community, I feel the need to put it out to the community for a period of public consultation," Cr Allen said.
Gaining unanimous councillor support, the policy will be available to view from tomorrow (Wednesday) and feedback can be provided until Wednesday, March 26.
An officer report said the policy's key purpose was to ensure good governance and highlighted the importance of open and accountable conduct.
Under the Local Government Act, councils must adopt a public transparency policy. It stated council's decision making processes must be transparent, except when dealing with confidential information, and information must be understandable and accessible.
Council adopted its first Public Transparency Policy in August 2020, and committed to a review at the new council term.
Several policy changes were recommended by officers during a review. These included: minor changes to grammar and wording to make the policy more accessible; inclusion of the policy's adherence to the governance principles; updating definitions for "community" and "public interest test" to make them more concise; and, inclusion of a "revision history" table to comply with governance best practice and offer greater transparency of policy changes.
"It is important to note that council will always make information publicly available where possible, without the need for a formal process," the report stated. "The public transparency policy sets a minimum standard that council will strive to better."
Although not required to go out for community feedback and officers stating consultation would "not be of benefit", Cr Allen moved the alternative to endorse the policy and start community consultation.
Cr Jess Hamilton agreed to "get the community involved in this one."
The policy and feedback will be available via council's platform bawbawconnect.com.au from tomorrow.