Aggressive behaviour and abuse from the public gallery forced Port Augusta Council to suspend community forums
Port Augusta Council has been forced to suspend regular community forums after elected members were abused from the public gallery.
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Community forums at the beginning of Port Augusta Council meetings have been suspended after people in the gallery abused elected members at a meeting earlier this month.
Elected members and council staff have raised safety concerns after the members of the public became aggressive in the gallery during a meeting on September 10.
Port Augusta Council chief executive John Banks said it was not the first time members of the public had “displayed socially unacceptable behaviour” during the meetings.
The Council has now suspended the public forums as an internal investigation continues.
Over the last few months the elected members have been forced to deal with calls to dissolve the council.
A petition was circulated around Port Augusta accusing the council of failing to exercise its duties or listen to the public.
Mayor Brett Benbow said the Council “strongly refuted” the allegations.
“The Council is, and has always been, committed to acting in the best interests of the local community and to promote and facilitate a constructive working relationship with the community,” Mr Benbow said in a public statement.
“Please be assured that the Council encourages members of the public to speak freely, but
the nature of some of the allegations should be reported to an oversight body.”
He recommended that members of the public take any concerns to the State Ombudsman or the independent Commissioner Against Corruption.