From our research, the role of Mayor of a local government area is prescribed under the Local Government Act of South Australia 1999. Mayors can be described as ambassadors for their Councils to promote the decisions made by the elected members of Council, to preside over Council meetings and represent Council and its decisions at events and functions. A Mayor does not have discretionary decision making on issues within or outside Council meetings and must abide by the Act when presiding over Council meetings. A Mayor is not authorized to decide what business an elected member may bring forward at a Council meeting and can only decide how it is to be dealt with for example it could be at the meeting, or a report presented at a subsequent meeting. If a motion is without notice, a Mayor needs to consider its merits and accept the motion or suggest it is put as a motion with notice at the next Council meeting. A Mayor is generally the spokesperson for the Council however this can be varied according to the wishes of the elected members. Conflicts of interest conditions that apply to all elected members also apply to the Mayor. A Mayor is not entitled to vote at Council meetings unless a vote is tied. A Mayor then has the casting vote.

We strongly recommend all members of our community attend a monthly Council meeting to witness the formal protocols that take place.
Whilst sitting in the gallery you must remain silent.

City of Mount Gambier Council meetings are held on every third Tuesday of each month starting at 6.00pm sharp at the Civic Centre (upstairs)

District Council of Grant Council meetings are held on every third Monday of each month starting at 5.30pm sharp at the DCoG office.

We also recommend if you need to contact your local council you do so via email which provides you with evidence that contact has been made.

Web and email address to contact the City of Mount Gambier are https://www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au city@mountgambier.sa.gov.au

Web and email address to contact the District Council of Grant are https://www.dcgrants.sa.gov.au info@dcgrant.sa.gov.au

Both local Council websites have a phenomenal amount of information and news well worth reading.