Mary Kolusniewski hits back after Unley Council meeting ban

A 78-year-old has given her side of the story after she became the first ratepayer ever to be banned from Unley council meetings.

Mary Kolusniewski pictured outside of the Unley Council building, where she has been banned from attending meetings. Picture: Emma Brasier

Unley Council for the first time has banned a ratepayer from attending its meetings due to the woman’s disruptive behaviour, but the 78-year-old activist insists it’s “retaliation”.

Mary Kolusniewski was notified of the year-long ban on Monday, after she allegedly “verbally harassed and attacked” the West Torrens mayor, Michael Coxon, who attended the October 28 meeting.

The retired German and music teacher was escorted from the meeting after making “unacceptable and vulgar comments” towards Mr Coxon, a council letter stated.

Ms Kolusniewski also interjected twice during discussions in the chamber, the letter said.

“In short, the ... behaviour and conduct is considered unacceptable and unreasonable,” the council chief executive, Peter Tsokas, wrote.

West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon

Mary Kolusniewski, in 2021. Picture: Dean Martin

“My assessment is that you have engaged in unreasonable and inappropriate behaviours sufficient to enable me to place limitations on your attendance at council meetings.

“Should you attempt to physically attend a council meeting during this 12-month period, SAPOL will be contacted to remove you from the site, which may result in further action as required.”

Ms Kolusniewski told The Advertiser she had taken aim at Mr Coxon over his council’s approval of the Adelaide Football Club’s Thebarton Oval masterplan.

Prior to the meeting, she had been warned twice by the council about her behaviour and advised any repeated incidents may result in a ban and a police report.

Ms Kolusniewski believed the ban was to silence her from protesting against council decisions, including eviction of the Adelaide Potters Club from the council-owned Edmund Ave cottages.

“The Potters Club have a huge membership but they’ve been given the boot,” she said.

“I would like to see how it develops, but I can’t as I’m expressly forbidden from attending.

“I’ve been gagged. I have a long history of activism and it’s in retaliation for successful campaigns I’ve run in the past.”

Mary Kolusniewski leaves court after being charged with property damage for painting "WTF" in red paint on council signs. Picture: Kathryn Bermingham

Ms Kolusniewski said she successfully petitioned against changes to the Goodwood Library in 2015 and sought protection of the Village Green and cottages in 2017.

She said her most important win was protesting against an extension of an e-scooter trial, with the council voting in January to leave the matter lying on the table.

“You can see why they hate me, because I win battles,” she said.

A council spokeswoman said the ban – a first for the council – was based on legal advice regarding Ms Kolusniewski’s repeated disruptive conduct during council meetings.

“This action is not related to Ms Kolusniewski history of activism,” she said.

A previous fight between Ms Kolusniewski and the council ended up in the Magistrates Court, after she defaced 28 council road signs in an act of “activism”.

She was ordered to pay a $2933 fine.