An increase in alleged anti-social habits from conspiracy theorist groups and sovereign citizens has forced one Victorian local government to shut its doors to the public for in-person council meetings.
The Yarra Ranges Council, located on the eastern outskirts of Melbourne, has reported an “increasing pattern” of verbal abuse during its community addresses in recent months.
Consequently, the “unacceptable” conduct has forced Mayor Jim Child to make the decision to close the public gallery, meaning members of the public can only attend council meetings online.
“This type of conduct is unacceptable, and we cannot continue to allow these situations to occur,” the council said in a statement on Thursday.
“In recognising council’s obligation to provide a safe workplace, and to ensure that council meetings are a safe place for all in attendance, effective immediately, the public gallery for council meetings will be closed until further notice.”
The council states its decision to shut the gallery is backed by the Local Government Act 2020 which permits councils to close public meetings for security reasons or if safety is compromised.
It’s alleged the actions from members of conspiracy group My Place and sovereign citizens influenced this decision, with Councillor Child stating such “unruly behaviour” has existed since January.
“It started late last year where we had a presence of (the) My Place movement who came along to our council meetings asking particular questions,” Councillor Child told ABC Melbourne radio host Virginia Trioli.
“Of course we answered those as per our governance rules but we found as the meetings continued into the new year …(this turned into) unruly behaviour and continued interruption to council business.”
In one instance on January 31, Victoria Police were called to the public gallery to disperse a crowd of over 100 “agitators” who “didn’t follow the rules” set down by the council.
“Police were requested to attend a local council meeting in Lilydale on January 31 about 7.20pm,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.
“Police spoke to council representatives and other parties in attendance. There were no offences and no arrests.”
Consequently, the meeting was adjourned and reconvened remotely later that night via lifestream.
Councillor Child said those responsible for the behaviour in the gallery were from My Place who had doubts regarding 15-minute cities, 5G mobile towers and vaccinations.
Fifteen minute cities, also known as 20 minute neighbourhoods, is an urban planning concept where the everyday essentials are located within a short walk or cycle ride of home.
Rather than being forced, for instance, to drive for groceries, nearby there would be schools, shops, GP clinics and even some workplaces within walking distance.
The concept is the brainchild of Franco-Colombian urbanist Carlos Moreno who came up with the idea to prompt more sustainable, convenient and healthier living.
However, some conspiracists believe – with no evidence – it’s a United Nations plot to keep people in lockdown or under the government’s control. Rather than making it easier to get some milk.
As for 5G mobile tower conspiracy theories, sceptics believe the new network is linked to the creation of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw some people oversees setting these towers alight or vandalising them.
My Place aims to “re-educate” Australians as it works towards building a society that can defend itself from what they claim is the inevitable collapse of civilisation.
The group’s beliefs question the Holocaust, Covid-19 vaccinations and Australian laws and follows the conspiracy theory that a global cabal is planning to remove ordinary citizens’ freedoms.
“I get eyeballed by members of this group and then (they) yell abuse and say ‘well you’re on notice now’, what does that actually mean?” Councillor Child questioned.
“Our councillors are elected by residents of Yarra Ranges, they shouldn’t be threatened like that and other members of the gallery shouldn’t be threatened either.”
Just One Focus – Truth is another group who shares a similar belief system to My Place but encourages its members to “do their own research” to find “the truth” through platforms like Telegram, Rumble and Donald Trump’s Truth Social.
News.com.au is not suggesting Just One Focus – Truth caused issues at Council meetings.
The issue expands beyond the Yarra Ranges
The Yarra Ranges Council isn’t the only local government to encounter issues with conspiracists and sovereign citizens at its meetings, with the City of Whittlesea also reporting similar behaviour.
“Since the start of the year, the City of Whittlesea has seen an influx of people attending council meetings and asking public questions about topics including 5G and 20-minute neighbourhoods,” City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd told news.com.au.
“Council is taking advice from Victoria Police and has employed security at its recent meetings to ensure those attending the meeting and our staff and administrators can feel safe.”
To date, the City of Whittlesea’s meetings have continued to run in person “without major disruption” with the council stating it will continue to monitor the situation.
Councillor Child also alleges councils in Frankston and the Bass Coast have also faced similar issues, given My Place has establishments in those areas.
The matter also extends to outside Victoria with three councils in South Australia and one NSW council being forced to take action against protesters who have concerns about 15-minute cities.
The future of Yarra Ranges’ public gallery
As for when the Yarra Ranges Council’s public gallery will reopen, Councillor Child said he will reassess the situation in June.
“Yarra Ranges Council values the voices of our community, and the decision to close the public gallery at council meetings has not been taken lightly,” he told news.com.au in a statement.
“Council has always enjoyed welcoming our community into the public gallery to speak about items being considered that may impact them, to present petitions or to ask questions of council.
“The safety of our community, councillors and staff is at the heart of this decision. While disappointing, we feel strongly about the need to take a zero tolerance approach to the threatening and disrespectful behaviour we have been experiencing recently.
“Despite trying to engage, understand and respond to members of the gallery behaving this way, our efforts have not resulted in the desired outcome, and we are not prepared to enable this behaviour to continue at our public meetings.
“Council is committed to ensuring our residents continue to have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process in a safe, non-threatening and respectful environment.
“For now, changing the format of our meetings to online is a way we can achieve this, while maintaining transparency around council’s decision making.”
News.com.au has contacted My Place for comment.