City of Yarra votes to restrict debate, install barricade at public meeting

In a controversial move, Greens-run Yarra Council will push ahead with changes to public meetings despite concerns it will gag residents.

A barrier has been placed between the public and city of Yarra councillors at Richmond Town Hall.

Yarra councillors will go ahead with moves to restrict debate at their public meetings, passing a series of changes amid stormy discussions at Richmond Town Hall.

The meeting began in farce with the appearance of a barricade - dubbed the Great Wall of Yarra - which was installed between the public and councillors in the chamber.

It’s believed the obstacle was created after a questioner approached the councillors’ bench in a previous meeting.

The changes to restrict public input to meetings come despite a late move by Greens councillor Amanda Stone to allow residents wanting to ask a question to either pre-register or turn up on the night.

Instead, the original motion - that people have to lodge their question at least 24 hours before - stayed despite opposition from socialist councillor Bridgid O’Brien and independent Stephen Jolly that the process restricts access.

A barrier has been placed between the public and city of Yarra councillors at Richmond Town Hall.

But mayor Sophie Wade voted to approve the changes, with fellow Greens Edward Crossland and Anub Mohamud and independents Herschel Landes and Claudia Nguyen.

Cr Landes twice referenced the Herald Sun’s coverage of the troubled council.

“There’s no shortage of democracy in our community,’’ he said.

Cr Jolly objected to the changes, reminding his colleagues that the number of council meetings had also been reduced.

Senior goverance advisor Rhys Thomas told the Tuesday night meeting that the changes to meeting procedures followed community consultation and public feedback.

Mr Promnitz said his residents’ group was created in reaction to the conduct of the council.

City of Yarra debating limits on debate this evening. Now it's created a physical barrier between the public and councillors. 🙄
Cr Stephen Jolly questions it and calls for a review. @theheraldsun@[e-mail]/ImImI0Ya6d

— Ian Royall 🏍 (@IanRoyall) August 23, 2022

For the first time in it's history the council executive has placed physical barriers between the public and the administration and councillors. Farcical and outrageous!shows everything about what's wrong at @YarraCouncil@IanRoyall@[e-mail]/FCEd91K0J6

— Yarra Residents Collective (@yarraresidents) August 23, 2022

“The governance changes are not supported by the public and are driven by a small number of bureacrats who fear the democratic voice of residents. What a hypocritical shame.’’ he said.

Resident Lindy Uren said elected representatives had to be accountable to their ratepayers.

Lucas Moon, who is the Liberal candidate for the state seat of Richmond, called for the “great wall or iron curtain” to be torn down.

Mr Moon said the meeting changes were unfair and unwarranted.

Cr Jolly also said the barrier was a retrograde step and asked for a review from the chief executive.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,’’ he said.

Yarra Residents Collective spokesman Adam Promnitz described the physical barrier as the Great Wall of Yarra that reflected the gag motion in the “most visceral fashion’’.

“The People’s Republic of Yarra strikes again,’’ he said.