Hobsons Bay Council criticised for heavy security presence and registration policy at recent meeting

A Melbourne council that employed almost as many security guards as it has councillors at a recent meeting won’t reveal why it hired the guards or how much the stunt cost. Vote in our poll.

Hobsons Bay Council has been criticised for recent practices perceieved to deter residents from attending. Picture: Supplied

A Melbourne council that hired security and restricted residents from attending meetings will not reveal the cost or motivation behind the “heavy handed” tactic.

Hobsons Bay residents were forced to register ahead of recent council meetings where attendees were greeted by at least five security guards and escorted by two local laws officers with the practices labelled “overkill”.

Attendees at this month’s meeting told the Herald Sun that upon arrival they were greeted with flood lights, bollards and ropes outside the chambers as well as a heavy security presence leaving them confused and concerned.

The council has seven councillors, including the mayor.

Hobsons Bay Council have been criticised for a heavy security presence and measures such as escorting residents to their seats and implementing a registration process. Picture: Supplied

More: Hobsons Bay City Council implements public attendance restrictions for meetings

Council Watch vice president Dean Hurlston, who attended the meeting, said the level of security was “far above and beyond” the security concerns of any local government across Victoria, let alone Hobsons Bay.

“We all agree that council needs to be a safe and respectful place for staff and the public but the security presence that night was overkill and all its doing is driving people away,” Mr Hurlston said.

“What are they afraid of, is it public scrutiny?

“We ask Hobsons Bay how much this is all costing and when it will stop.”

Council Watch Vice President Dean Hurlston has written to Hobsons Bay City Council requesting they cease the registration process immediately. Picture: Kiel Egging.

Hobsons Bay City Council declined to comment when asked how much the additional security measures cost ratepayers and why it was necessary.

It follows a number of incidents at local government meetings, including dramatic scenes when protesters clashed at a City of Monash meeting in response to a drag story time event.

Emails sent by Council Watch to Hobsons Bay, seen by the Herald Sun, have called for the immediate end to the recent practices of forcing residents to register ahead of meetings and provide ID, labelling them “inconsistent with the law”.

Council Watch claims the Local Government Act 2020 has no provisions for a council to require information (email, name, suburb, phone number) or to refuse entry to those who have not registered.

“The (recent security measures) make council feel unsafe, inaccessible and sends the absolute wrong message to the community,” the email reads.

“I ask the council to cease the registration process immediately.”

It comes as personal email addresses of attendees were shared when a council officer responded to all residents confirming their attendance, which Council Watch claims is a breach of its privacy policy.

A council spokesman previously said the registration policy was implemented prior to the May meeting.

“We regularly review and refine our security processes and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our councillors, employees and community,” the spokesman said.