Yarra Ranges Council meeting: Police called after protesters pack gallery

There could be more big protests at council meetings across the state this year as thousands of residents join a “pro-choice” movement.

Police were called to a Yarra Ranges Council meeting on Tuesday night.

More councils could face disruptions to meetings this year as thousands of residents join a “pro-choice” movement.

Police were called to a Yarra Ranges Council meeting in Lilydale on Tuesday night, after an “angry” group of people in the gallery left the Mayor fearing for the safety of councillors and staff.

It’s believed some of the crowd members were from the My Place Yarra Valley Group, one of at least eight My Place groups in the state, based in areas such as Frankston, Rosebud, Pakenham, Whittlesea, Cranbourne, Phillip Island, Sunbury and Wantirna.

My Place Frankston describes itself as a “Pro-choice event space to support one another and build a tribe of like minded people that can forge a better future together where we all prosper.”

One of the groups’ main concerns is the idea of 20 Minute Neighbourhoods, described as a plan to allow people to meet most of their daily needs within a 20-minute return walk from home, with access to safe cycling and local transport options.

A member of the My Place Yarra Valley group, Belinda, told 3AW’s Dee Dee Dunleavy the group formed after Covid when a lot of people were looking for connection.

“Before everyone goes on the anti-vax stance, I’m vaccinated, she said.”

She said the group had a lot of vaccinated and unvaccinated members.

“The primary belief of the group at Yarra Valley is about mutual respect.”

Belinda said there were recently concerns about government overreach and group members had decided to start attending council meetings.

Belinda said “apathy amongst society in terms of just accepting everything we are told is rife.

“It’s not OK anymore to sit back and let governments run our life,” she said.

Dean Hurlston from Ratepayers Victoria said the My Place groups were growing in popularity, with more than 4000 members in the Frankston group alone.

“Communities feel more than ever they are not being listened too,” he said.

“That’s why these groups are popping up.”

Mr Hurlston said although he didn’t agree with group members coming into meetings and not following the council rules, he did believe they were coming from a good place.

“They are trying to hold local government accountable to its community and I can’t praise that enough,” he said.

Mr Hurlston said he expected more group members to attend council meetings this year.

“This is just the beginning,” he said.

“If they follow the rules they can effect change – they’ve got incredible power if they focus properly.”

Mr Hurlston said most people would rather “stick a fork in their eye” than watch a council meeting, which meant councils were not getting the scrutiny they deserved.

He said the groups’ primary concern was 20 minute cities, which he said was not a conspiracy theory.

“It is already the preamble to state planning laws, it’s in law,” he said.

“Every planning decision that is made in every local council in Victoria, is seen in the lens of a 20 minute city because the planning legislation is designed around it.”

Ratepayers Victoria vice-president Dean Hurlston. Picture: Kiel Egging.

Mayor Jim Child adjourned the meeting shortly after it began at 7pm, following interruptions from the packed public gallery, with more than 100 people in attendance.

Police escorted members of the public out before the meeting began again online about 9pm.

Police confirmed they spoke to council representatives and other parties in attendance but there were no offences and no arrests.

It’s not clear exactly what the group was there to protest about, but Cr Child said he believed they wanted to disrupt the meeting.

“Police were called to assist with the crowd of 100+ agitators, who didn’t follow the rules we set down for council meetings,” Cr Child said.

“Sadly, this had an unfair impact on those who did. I’d like to thank the police who assisted with the crowd and ensured that people left the council meeting safely.

“We’re very disappointed in the conduct we saw last night, and we will not tolerate it at further meetings.”

Cr Child said shortly after the meeting began a man spoke up from the gallery and wanted to ask a question, which Cr Child didn’t allow because it was contrary to the council’s governance rules.

Cr Child then progressed the meeting, dealing with questions from the public.

But he said it was then that the meeting got “out of hand” as far as the gallery interrupting.

“One gentleman continually challenged me, standing on his feet; the crowd was behind him, and it got to the stage where I couldn’t conduct the meeting anymore,” Cr Child said.

“I gave an appropriate warning and I did ask the question “Can we continue the meeting” and there was a resounding no.

“I had no choice, I could not allow the meeting to continue.

“It got to the stage where I felt there was a safety issue as far as the councillors in the room, and also the officers, and the other members of the public who were there for other agenda items.”

Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child.

Cr Child asked officers to clear the gallery and had discussions with other councillors who supported his actions to close the meeting to the public.

He said he didn’t know what the group was there to protest about.

“I sensed an agenda in the room that people wanted to disrupt the council meeting,” Cr Child said.

“I’m disappointed in that.

“The history of this council – this is a total shock to us.

“We would be one of the most inclusive councils there are to allow people to speak to items and to ask questions to officers through submissions and I was just astounded by an angry gallery with an agenda to disrupt the council meeting.”

It’s believed some in the council chambers were there to voice their fears over the council’s plan for 20 minute neighbourhoods, part of the state government’s long-term planning strategy.

Reopening the meeting about an hour later, Cr Child said due to the safety of councillors and staff he felt he had no other choice of action than to close the meeting to the public.

He thanked Victoria Police who assisted with the crowd and ensured people left the meeting safely.

Cr Child invited the community to watch the meeting online and email queries to the council.

He said the council held its regular meetings to inform the community about the important work the council was doing.

He said council meetings were governed by the Local Government Act 2020 which states that meetings will only be closed to the public if there are clear reasons for public matters to remain confidential; if a meeting is required to be closed for security reasons; or if it is necessary to enable the meeting to proceed in an orderly matter.

“While we welcome the views of our community and are keen for them to take part in council meetings in a meaningful way we need to make sure this is done in a safe environment for staff, councillors and other members of the gallery,” he said.

Yarra Ranges Council posted a message on its website on Tuesday regarding misinformation on social media around the concept of a 20 minute neighbourhood.

“(Council) is encouraging community members to be wary of incorrect information circulating in their communities when thinking about town planning,” the council said.

Cr Child said that incorrect information had been circulating in the Dandenongs and surrounds.

“The concept behind 20 minute neighbourhoods is simple – communities are designed to make sure everything you need day-to-day is close to home and a walkable distance away,” he said.

“The intent is for people to be able to move about easily and freely without being burdened by excessive travel or costly transport options. It improves movement and access, rather than preventing it.”

The council is currently developing the Warburton and Monbulk Urban Design Frameworks.