A petition is a formal written request submitted by members of the community to the Council, asking for action to be taken on a specific issue. They can be a useful way for residents, electors, or ratepayers to raise concerns, express opinions, or request that the Council consider or reconsider a decision. Common topics include local planning matters, public amenities, road safety, or changes to Council policy.
To be valid, a petition must clearly state the nature of the request and include the names, addresses, and signatures of the people supporting it. Petitions are usually presented to a Council meeting, either by an Councillor or through the Chief Executive Officer.
Petition Requirements
Clause 3.5 of Town of Cambridge Meeting Procedures Local Law 2019 sets out requirements governing the format and presentation of petitions to ensure their authenticity and integrity.
It is very important those involved in drawing up petitions familiarise themselves with the requirements before collecting signatures. This will avoid the possibility of the petition being ruled out of order, and being unable to be presented to Council.
To be presented to Council, a petition must:
- Be addressed to the Mayor
- State the request on each page of the petition;
- Contain a summary of the reasons for the request;
- Contain the names, addresses and signatures of the petitioners and the date signed;
- State the name and address of the petition’s initiator, so that notice can be given to petitioners via the initiator;
- Be respectful and temperate in its language, and not contain language disrespectful to Council;
- Be legible;
- Be in the English language or be accompanied by a translation certified to be correct. The person certifying the translation must place his or her name and address on the translation; and
- Not contain any alterations.
Using the Petition of Electors Form(PDF, 93KB) to submit a petition will ensure all required information and signatures are properly recorded for submission to the Council.
Although there is no minimum number of signatures required for a petition to be accepted it will appear more representative of public feeling if it is signed by as many electors as possible. Although anyone can sign a petition, only Town of Cambridge electors will be recorded in the official signature count. (An elector is a person who owns or occupies rateable property within the Town of Cambridge and is eligible to vote in Local Government and State Government elections).
All the signatures on a petition must meet the following requirements:
- Every signature must be written on a page bearing the terms of the petition, or the action requested by the petition.
- Signatures must not be copied, pasted or transferred on to the petition nor should they be placed on a blank page on the reverse of a sheet containing the terms of the petition
- Each signature must be made by the person signing in his or her own handwriting.
How can I get a Petition Presented?
A petition can only be presented to Council at a Council Meeting or Committee meeting by the Mayor, a Councillor or the Chief Executive Officer. This can be any Councillor and does not have to be a Councillor from a particular Ward.
The person initiating the petition is to forward the petition to the Chief Executive Officer, Mayor or a Councillor at least 24 hours prior to the Ordinary Council Meeting at which they would like the petition presented. Although the Councillor is not bound to present a petition, it is traditionally accepted that he or she will present it, irrespective of personal views. Presentation of a petition by an Councillor does not mean that the Councillor necessarily agrees or disagrees with its content.
For Council and Committee meeting dates, times and location visit our Council & Committee Meeting Dates page or call us on 9347 6000.
Petitions are listed as Item 4 in the Order of Business at Ordinary Council Meetings. During this part of the meeting, a petition can, by resolution: a) be received; or b) referred to the appropriate Committee or a future Council meeting for a report to be prepared.
What happens after a Petition is presented?
If Council resolves to take action on a petition, it will be referred to the appropriate directorate Often this involves the preparation a detailed report for a future meeting of the Council for its consideration.
Petitions are Public Documents
All petitions tabled at Committee and Council Meetings are public documents, which may be inspected by members of the public at any time. This is provided for under Section 5.94 (P)(i) of the Local Government Act 1995.