Council locks public out of meetings after protests from conspiracy theory groups

A council on Melbourne’s eastern outskirts will close its public gallery after what it described as an “increasing pattern of abuse” and “intimidation” from attendees at meetings this year.

The Yarra Ranges Council has had to deploy security guards since January after a series of rowdy meetings where people in the public gallery bombarded councillors with questions typically associated with conspiracy theories.

Yarra Ranges mayor Jim Child.Credit: Eddie Jim

In a statement, the council confirmed residents wanting to submit questions or petitions would now have to do so online, with the public gallery closed until further notice. However, meetings will continue to be streamed online.

It said the council was disappointed it had to take the decision in response to “recurring abusive behaviour”.

“Over recent months, there has been a consistent and increasing pattern of verbal abuse, intimidation and anti-social behaviour demonstrated by some members of the public gallery during council meetings,” the statement said.

The council said its decision was supported by local government laws, which allowed it to close a meeting for security reasons or if it was necessary to continue the meeting in an orderly manner.

Groups who believe conspiracy theories about 5G technology and the urban planning concept of 15-minute cities have increasingly protested at local councils in the past six months.

Many believe councils have secret plans to lock residents in their suburbs, limit their movements and monitor them around the clock.

Early this year, Yarra Ranges mayor Jim Child said the council had to close a meeting and call police after more than 100 “agitators” became raucous and disruptive.

“Due to the safety of councillors and staff, I felt I had no other course of action but to close the meeting to the public,” he said at the time.

In March, Casey Council, in Melbourne’s south-east, cancelled a series of council-funded drag queen performances due to protests from similar groups after receiving a threat assessment from police.

This month emotional residents blaming councils for giving them 5G “radiation poisoning” and fearing local government “lockdowns” have appeared at recent Knox and Whittlesea council meetings in testy exchanges during public question time.

Interstate, Salisbury and Onkaparinga councils in South Australia and Cessnock Council in NSW have also been the targets of large groups of protestors calling for “citizen arrests” and railing against CCTV programs and 15-minute cities.

Earlier this month, Yarra Ranges declared it would no longer answer questions at council meetings “relating to 20-minute neighbourhoods or their alignment to the principles associated with the United Nations”.

Instead, the council directed residents to online links explaining the council’s urban planning principles.

Dean Hurlston, vice president of Council Watch (formerly Rate Payers Victoria) said he was aware that members of conspiracy groups had attended Victorian councils in recent months, but said the indefinite closure of the public gallery was not justifiable.

“Council can easily make adequate security arrangements to protect staff and maintain order,” he said.

“It’s vital that council remains open to the public for participation, engagement and accountability.”

He said violent or aggressive behaviour towards council staff and councillors was never acceptable.

“We’re aware that many of these groups are turning up to metropolitan councils, and we think this is a good thing. However, they must remain respectful and reasonable.

“Meeting procedures must be adhered to. However, there is an argument that too many councils don’t allow public questions from the floor.”

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