Cessnock Councillor Forced to Resign Over NSW Meeting Rule Changes
Cessnock City Councillor Chris Madden has announced his resignation following mid-term amendments to the NSW Code of Meeting Practice that restrict remote access to council meetings. The Ward B representative, who served since 2024, described the state government's decision as "appalling" and "outrageous", particularly criticising its timing halfway through the council term.
Rule Change Limits Remote Participation
The revised regulations effectively reduce the number of times councillors can connect via platforms like Zoom to council meetings, mandating more frequent physical attendance instead. Cr Madden explained that his employment-related travel commitments made compliance impossible under the new framework.
"Under the previous code, councillors were able to zoom in if they were away for work purposes," he stated. "There was no restriction to the number—if you were away for work you had a legitimate reason. Councillors had to vote to allow you to attend remotely but that had never been a problem."
Resignation to Avoid Costly By-election
Cr Madden submitted his resignation on January 23, with his final day scheduled for January 30. He emphasised that resigning now was preferable to potentially costing the council over $100,000 for a by-election. The councillor expressed disappointment at being unable to continue serving his community, noting his active involvement in local organisations including football and hockey clubs.
"I'm definitely a community-minded person," Madden said. "Parks, gardens and sporting fields were a main priority for me. I was keen to do my bit to get kids off their electronics and get them out into the fresh air."
Wider Impact Across Regional NSW
The councillor warned that he likely won't be the only NSW representative affected by the changes. He mentioned conversations with counterparts in areas including:
- Muswellbrook
- Dungog
- Upper Hunter
- Broken Hill
- Cobar
"We also have councillors further out west in places like Broken Hill and Cobar working on farms 200km away from council chambers," Madden noted. "It is going to directly affect them as well. It will be interesting to see if others may be forced to resign."
Council Vote and Future Plans
The new codes had been circulated for six months before the council voted on them late last year. Madden was the sole dissenting vote, though he suggested some colleagues now regret their approval. He plans to assist his successor—to be determined through a countback of 2024 election votes—with a smooth transition.
Reflecting on his tenure, Madden highlighted several achievements:
- Progress on the Wollombi Road infrastructure project
- Opposition to a recent 50% rate increase
- Advocacy for staged financial approaches
"Cessnock council is one of the fastest growing LGAs in NSW and that piece of road is a major piece of infrastructure," he remarked about Wollombi Road.
Potential Return to Public Office
While stepping down, Madden didn't rule out a future return to public service. "You may see a comeback of some description," he hinted, suggesting 2028 as a possible timeframe. He maintained that his community involvement would continue despite leaving the council chamber.
The resignation highlights ongoing tensions between state government regulations and the practical realities facing regional councillors, particularly those balancing public service with employment demands across vast geographical areas.
