Byron Shire Council could ban “Fast Buck$” from its buildings for bad behaviour

The mayor said the local resident’s behaviour had been “reprehensible” while his deputy argued she has “a right to a safe workplace” in supporting a move to prevent him from attending meetings.

John Anderson being escorted from the Byron Shire Council chambers in Mullumbimby during the April 2021 ordinary meeting. Picture: Liana Boss

A local man could be banned from entering Byron Shire Council’s chambers or administration building as a result of alleged bad behaviour.

On Thursday, John Anderson, also known by the nickname Fast Buck$, was asked to leave the council chambers in Mullumbimby for the second time within a month.

Newly-elected mayor Michael Lyon asked Mr Anderson to leave after he approached deputy mayor Sarah Ndiaye at her desk during public access.

Police escorted him from the April planning meeting after he refused to leave following unruly behaviour.

Police were called to the chambers again on Thursday but Mr Anderson left the building before they arrived.

Following what was already a lengthy planning meeting on Thursday, Mr Lyon brought a mayoral minute before the council after 6pm.

The motion sought to give general manager Mark Arnold permission to investigate Mr Anderson and issue a notice prohibiting him from entering the council’s facilities until September 30 this year.

This would mean he can’t attend council meetings until after the election, scheduled for September 4.

Mr Lyon’s motion said this was on the grounds that his behaviour “within or around the property amounts to ongoing threatening behaviour”.

Mr Anderson is a familiar face at council meetings and has often criticised council decisions.

But his rhetoric can become personal; including stubbornly mispronouncing Ms Ndiaye’s surname.

“It’s reprehensible,” Mr Lyon said.

Councillor Basil Cameron queried whether the council has the power to refuse someone access to the chambers.

General manager Mark Arnold and the council’s legal counsel Ralph James explained this was possible via trespass legislation.

Councillor Jeannette Martin queried the inclusion of the council’s admin building in the motion and asked: “has John Anderson behaved badly within the admin building as well?”.

The GM nodded in response.

Ms Ndiaye stressed both the chambers and admin building were a workplace for her and many others.

“I have a right to a safe workplace as does everybody else,” she said.

“Many other staff have commented on unpleasant ongoing experiences.”

Ms Ndiaye said she had been experienced challenging behaviour from Mr Anderson for “four and a half years”.

Councillors unanimously voted to allow Mr Arnold to continue investigations into the behaviour and, if possible following that investigation, to issue Mr Anderson with a notice banning him from the vicinity for a period of time.