In short:
Wyndham City Council has introduced a mandatory pre-registration and photo ID requirement for residents wishing to attend Council Meetings in person, commencing Tuesday, 26 May 2026 — the first time such conditions have applied in the Council’s history.
ID checks start Tuesday
Wyndham City Council has introduced a mandatory registration and photo ID requirement for members of the public wishing to attend Council Meetings in person, a move that marks the first time in the Council’s history that public access has come with conditions attached.
The new rules take effect from the next Council Meeting on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. The Council has not linked the policy to any specific incident or individual, but the timing, coming as the governance crisis surrounding Wyndham Mayor Preet Singh shows no sign of resolution, has prompted questions about what triggered the sudden change.
Photo ID must be presented on arrival
For a Council that has historically held its meetings open to the public without condition, the shift is significant. The controversy surrounding Cr Singh , which centres on a character reference he provided for a man later convicted of child sex offences , has seen four consecutive protests outside the Wyndham Civic Centre in Werribee, a unanimous no-confidence motion from his fellow councillors, and the appointment of municipal monitors by the Allan Labor Government. Cr Singh has so far refused to resign.
Residents wishing to attend Tuesday’s meeting in person must now register in advance via an online form, with registrations closing at 5pm on Monday, 25 May 2026. Photo ID must be presented on arrival to confirm registration details.
The Council describes the measure as interim, stating it has been introduced to manage in-person attendance and ensure the safety of Councillors, staff and the community. Council Meetings continue to commence at 6pm, with the Council encouraging attendees to arrive by 5.30pm to avoid delays at entry.
Strict conditions of entry have also been outlined. Attendees must treat Councillors, staff and fellow community members with respect, follow directions from the Chair and authorised Council officers, and remain seated unless invited to speak.
No placards, signs or banners
Placards, signs, banners, props and other display materials are prohibited inside the Council Chamber, a condition that effectively rules out the kind of public demonstrations that have become a feature of recent Council meetings during the crisis. Filming, photography or recording of proceedings is not permitted without prior permission.
The Chair retains the authority to remove any person who disrupts proceedings, fails to follow directions, or poses a safety concern. Anyone directed to leave must do so immediately.
Where additional safety threats arise, the Council reserves the right to introduce further measures, including changes to the attendance format, capacity limits and security arrangements.
Meetings will be livestreamed
Meetings will continue to be livestreamed and recorded for those unable to attend in person, or those who choose not to register.
Community members unable to complete the online registration form can contact the Council at mail@wyndham.vic.gov.au or by calling 1300 023 411.
Residents wishing to participate in Public Question Time must submit their question by 5pm on the day prior to the meeting via the Council’s online form. Those who have submitted a public question are still required to register their attendance separately.
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