¶ AUDIO from Collie Shire Council meetings is now being recorded and can be accessed by the public.
Council’s February meeting this week was the first meeting from which audio will be retained following recent changes in local government legislation.
Shire president Ian Miffling informed councillors of the new requirement at the start of the meeting.
“This is the first of our meetings now that we have to record,” Cr Miffling said. 
“It has to go on to the public record.”
Larger councils are required to live-stream under the new legislation, however smaller councils are not obligated to.
“We’re not live-streaming,” Cr Miffling said.
“It is optional, but our council decided that we wouldn’t.” 
Recordings must be published within 14 days of a meeting via the shire website.
Alternatively, they can be published via an external website with a link placed on the shire’s website.
The recordings must be retained for at least five years.
The policy is designed to ensure an accurate account of meeting proceedings, debate and discussion.