40 ChatGPT Prompts for Australian Council Staff (2026)

These prompts are designed for Australian local government staff using ChatGPT, Claude, or Microsoft Copilot. Each prompt is a starting point — adjust the details to match your council's specific context, tone, and requirements. Always review AI-generated output before sending or publishing.

Important: Do not include personal resident information (names, addresses, contact details) in prompts entered into public AI tools. Use enterprise plans with appropriate data protections for any work involving resident data.

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Resident Communications

1. Responding to a general enquiry

"Draft a professional, friendly response to a resident who has asked about [topic, e.g. bin collection schedules]. The response should be clear, concise, and direct them to [relevant resource or contact]. Council name: [name]. Tone: helpful and approachable."

2. Public notice for a community event

"Write a public notice for a community event: [event name], [date], [location], [brief description]. Include key details residents need to know. Keep it under 150 words. Tone: welcoming and informative."

3. Social media post about a council project

"Write three social media posts (Facebook and Instagram) announcing [project name, e.g. new playground at X park]. Each post should be under 100 words, include a call to action, and use an approachable tone. Avoid jargon."

4. Response to a complaint

"Draft a professional response to a resident complaint about [issue, e.g. noise from a nearby construction site]. Acknowledge the concern, explain the council's position or process, and outline next steps. Tone: empathetic but factual."

5. Newsletter article about a council initiative

"Write a 200-word newsletter article about [initiative, e.g. the council's new food waste recycling program]. Explain what it is, why it matters, and how residents can participate. Tone: positive and community-focused."

6. Rates notice explanatory text

"Write a plain-English explanation of why council rates are calculated the way they are, suitable for inclusion in a rates notice. Keep it under 120 words. Avoid technical jargon."

7. FAQ for council website

"Create a FAQ section for the council website covering [topic, e.g. development applications]. Include 6 questions and answers. Each answer should be under 80 words. Tone: clear and helpful."

8. Email to residents about a road closure

"Draft an email to residents in [street/suburb] advising them of a road closure on [date] from [time] to [time] due to [reason]. Include alternative routes and a contact for enquiries."

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Meeting Minutes and Agendas

9. Summarising a meeting transcript

"Summarise the following council meeting transcript into clear, structured minutes. Include: date, attendees, key decisions made, action items with responsible officers, and any motions passed. [Paste transcript]"

10. Drafting an agenda item

"Draft an agenda item for a council meeting on [topic]. Include: background, the issue to be considered, options available, staff recommendation, and financial implications. Keep it professional and factual."

11. Action item follow-up email

"Write a follow-up email to [role, e.g. the infrastructure team] summarising the action items assigned to them from the [date] council meeting. List each item clearly with the agreed deadline."

12. Councillor briefing note

"Write a briefing note for councillors on [topic, e.g. proposed changes to the local planning scheme]. Include: background, key issues, community impact, and options for council consideration. Keep it under 400 words."

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Grant Writing and Funding

13. Grant application introduction

"Write an introduction for a grant application to [funding body] for [project name]. The project aims to [brief description]. The council serves [population/area description]. Highlight the community need and expected outcomes. Keep it under 250 words."

14. Project outcomes statement

"Write a project outcomes statement for a grant application. The project is [description]. Expected outcomes include [list]. The target community is [description]. Use clear, measurable language."

15. Grant acquittal summary

"Draft a grant acquittal summary for [project name]. The project received $[amount] from [funding body]. Key activities completed: [list]. Outcomes achieved: [list]. Any variations from the original plan: [details]."

16. Expression of interest for a funding program

"Write an expression of interest for [funding program] on behalf of [council name]. The proposed project is [description]. The community need is [description]. Keep it under 300 words and use a professional, persuasive tone."

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Planning and Development

17. Summarising a development application

"Summarise the following development application for a non-technical audience. Include: what is being proposed, the location, key issues for consideration, and any community impacts. [Paste application details]"

18. Drafting a planning report recommendation

"Draft a planning report recommendation for [development application description]. The application [complies/does not comply] with [relevant planning instrument]. Key considerations include [list]. Recommended decision: [approve/refuse/approve with conditions]."

19. Response to a planning objection

"Draft a response to a planning objection from a resident who has raised concerns about [issue, e.g. overshadowing, traffic]. Acknowledge the concern, explain the assessment process, and outline how the issue was considered."

20. Community consultation summary

"Summarise the following community consultation feedback on [project/proposal]. Identify the main themes, the range of views expressed, and any specific issues raised. [Paste feedback]"

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Policy and Strategy

21. Drafting a policy objective

"Write three policy objectives for a council [policy name, e.g. open space strategy]. Each objective should be clear, measurable, and aligned with the goal of [overall goal]. Use plain language."

22. SWOT analysis for a council initiative

"Conduct a SWOT analysis for [initiative, e.g. introducing a council EV fleet]. Consider the local government context in Australia. Present as a structured table."

23. Risk assessment for a project

"Draft a risk assessment for [project name]. Identify five potential risks, rate each as high/medium/low likelihood and impact, and suggest a mitigation strategy for each."

24. Benchmarking other councils

"Summarise publicly available information about how Australian councils have approached [topic, e.g. food waste programs, EV charging infrastructure]. Identify common approaches and any notable examples."

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Community Engagement

25. Survey questions for community consultation

"Write 8 survey questions for a community consultation on [topic, e.g. the council's draft open space strategy]. Include a mix of rating scale and open-ended questions. Keep language plain and accessible."

26. Workshop facilitation guide

"Create a facilitation guide for a 90-minute community workshop on [topic]. Include: welcome and introduction (10 min), context setting (15 min), small group discussion (40 min), report-back (20 min), and close (5 min). Include suggested discussion questions."

27. Media release for a community project

"Write a media release announcing [project, e.g. the opening of a new community centre]. Include: headline, opening paragraph with key facts, quote from the mayor, project details, and contact information. Keep it under 400 words."

28. Engagement report executive summary

"Write an executive summary for a community engagement report on [topic]. The engagement involved [methods, e.g. online survey, community meetings]. Key findings: [list]. Recommended next steps: [list]. Keep it under 200 words."

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Internal Operations

29. Staff induction document section

"Write a section for a staff induction document explaining [topic, e.g. council's customer service standards]. Include the key principles, what good practice looks like, and common scenarios. Keep it under 300 words."

30. Performance review talking points

"Generate talking points for a manager conducting a performance review with a staff member in [role]. Focus on: achievements, areas for development, and goal-setting for the next period. Keep it constructive and specific."

31. Team meeting agenda

"Create an agenda for a 45-minute team meeting for [team name]. Topics to cover: [list]. Include time allocations and a standing item for team updates."

32. Process documentation

"Write a step-by-step process document for [process, e.g. processing a development application]. Include each step, who is responsible, and any key decision points. Use numbered steps and plain language."

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Infrastructure and Environment

33. Asset maintenance report summary

"Summarise the following asset maintenance data for a council report. Identify the assets with the highest maintenance demand, any trends, and recommended priorities for the next budget cycle. [Paste data]"

34. Environmental initiative announcement

"Write a 200-word announcement for the council website about [environmental initiative, e.g. a new tree planting program]. Explain the initiative, its environmental benefits, and how residents can get involved."

35. Infrastructure project update

"Write a project update for the council website about [infrastructure project, e.g. road resurfacing on X street]. Include: current status, what work has been completed, what is coming next, and expected completion date."

36. Tender specification introduction

"Write an introduction section for a tender specification for [service, e.g. parks maintenance]. Include: background on the council, the scope of services required, and the key objectives of the contract."

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Finance and Reporting

37. Budget narrative for a program

"Write a budget narrative for [program name] requesting $[amount]. Explain what the funds will be used for, why each cost is necessary, and the expected outcomes. Keep it under 250 words."

38. Annual report section

"Write a 300-word section for the council's annual report covering [topic, e.g. community services delivered this year]. Highlight key achievements, numbers served, and any notable outcomes. Tone: professional and positive."

39. Financial summary for councillors

"Summarise the following financial data for a non-financial audience. Highlight the key figures, any variances from budget, and what they mean for the council's financial position. [Paste data]"

40. End-of-year program review

"Write an end-of-year review for [program name]. Cover: what was delivered, who was served, what worked well, what could be improved, and recommendations for next year. Keep it under 400 words."

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Tips for Using These Prompts

• Be specific: The more context you give, the better the output. Include the council name, the audience, and the tone you want.
• Review everything: AI output is a starting point, not a finished product. Always review for accuracy, tone, and compliance with council policies.
• Protect resident data: Never include personal information in prompts entered into public AI tools.
• Iterate: If the first output is not quite right, ask the AI to revise it — "make it shorter", "use a more formal tone", "add a call to action".