Funds have been set aside for the continued live-streaming of Griffith City Council meetings after a budget request for the continuation of the service was voted through by council.
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During Tuesday's council meeting where councillors were due to vote through council's 2020-21 operational budget, a submission from councillor Dino Zappacosta to mark out a maximum of $50,000 for the purposes of live-streaming meetings was discussed during a number of submissions delivered to council about the proposed budget.
Meetings of council have been streamed through video conferencing software Zoom and broadcast live on Facebook since coronavirus restrictions forced a halt to in-person meetings of council in March.
Under changes to the law stemming from the coronavirus, council meetings have been given power under the Local Government Act to hold meetings using 'audio-visual links' as opposed to physical meetings, however Cr Zappacosta said the funds would be used for "when we get back to our council chambers."
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Councillor Simon Croce supported the submission and said live-streaming of council meetings allow for more people to be involved with the system.
"It helps bring a bit of relevance to a lot of people because a lot of people are slightly interested but not interested enough to actually go to a council meeting," Cr Croce said.
"When they can watch it from the comfort of their own homes, I've come across a few people that I wouldn't have thought would be that interested do view it and find it reasonably interesting, so I think going forward that's a great idea to continue with it."
Mayor John Dal Broi said during Tuesday's meeting the next meeting of council - scheduled for July 7 - may see a full return of councillors to the city's council chambers.
"We'll be aiming for the chambers," Councillor Dal Broi said.
"All going well, hopefully we don't get any increase in cases such as Victoria."