Victoria’s peak body for local government is recommending closing public galleries to prevent abusive protests.
The head of Victoria’s peak body for local government says councils are grossly unprepared for the type of vitriol being hurled at them during meetings, and recommends closing public galleries to move meetings entirely online.
Municipal Association of Victoria president David Clark said fringe groups were unfairly capitalising on the close relationship councils had with community members.Facebook/Real Rukshan Yarra Ranges Council announced last week it would host its meetings only online indefinitely after copping months of antisocial behaviour.hijacked a January meeting espousing 5G and 15-minute city conspiracies. On Wednesday, Yarra Ranges, in Melbourne’s outer east, said it had spent more than $12,000 since January on security guards and cameras in its Lilydale public gallery.
“A lot of people want to come and meet their councillors,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to lose one of the great things about local government by moving into an entirely online space.” Clark called for state and federal governments to voice support for local councils, but stopped short of calling for financial help to beef up security.
“A council chamber is supposed to be a place where you can come and meet with councillors at the same level with no barriers. This [protest movement] is absolutely threatening that.”Clark praised Monash Council for managing to push on with its meeting agenda after a 15-minute adjournment, but he said the councillors were fortunate to have been pre-warned as this was new territory for the sector.“Passion in the council chamber is not unusual to us, we have that on planning matters.
“We hope that last night was a one-off, and we can return to council meetings without disruption so that community members, councillors and staff can attend and participate safely,” she said.
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