Petitions
A petition is a written request to Council to do something or to refrain from doing something.
A petition will be considered by Council when it has been signed by five or more people. If a document has been signed by less than five people it will be forwarded directly to the appropriate Council Officer for action.
Guidelines for a petition
A petition:
- will not be in pencil
- will be in any legible and permanent written form
- will clearly indicate the request
- will not be defamatory, indecent or abusive, and
- will not relate to a matter outside Council’s powers and functions.
In addition:
- Each page of the petition will include the request and be signed by at least one person.
- Each person who signs the petition must include their name and address.
- A person may not sign on behalf on anyone else, except in cases of incapacity or sickness.
Council has a Petition template (DOC 55Kb) which may be helpful.
Who do I address the petition to?
The petition should be addressed to either the relevant Ward Councillor or Director.
Petitions may be posted to
Moreland City Council
Locked Bag 10
MORELAND VIC 3058
or delivered to a Citizen Service Centre.
How is the petition actioned?
Once received, the relevant Ward Councillor will present the petition to a Council Meeting, and may move a formal resolution that the petition be received and referred to the relevant area of Council for investigation.
The relevant Council Officer will send a letter to the principle petitioner (be that the organiser of the petition or, where this information is not available, to the first named signatory) acknowledging receipt and providing further contact details.
It is the responsibility of the principle petitioner, and not Council to contact all other signatories on the petition.
The Council Officer liaises with the principle petitioner as appropriate to address the issue(s) raised in the petition.
How do I know a decision has been made?
The principle petitioner will be advised in writing of Council’s decision.
Privacy and petitions
There will be no personal information such as petition signatures, names and addresses provided in the report to Council. The report to Council will only provide a summary of the petition, for example, the number and type of objections or the number of signatures provided in the petition.
Petition objecting to a planning application
The principle petitioner will be registered as an objector or supporter to the specific planning application. The petition will be considered as part of the planning process.
How do I petition other levels of government?
Click on the following links to find out more about petitioning other levels of Australian government.
