By NATALIE GALLENTI
SECURITY measures at future Melton City Council meetings will not be increased despite a fiery end to last year’s meeting.
Melton City Council chief executive Kel Tori said the council was very disappointed that elements within the gallery refused to comply with the lawful direction of the Mayor as chair of the meeting.
Mr Tori said gallery members were expected to recognise the requirements of persons in attendance at a meeting of council as prescribed in the meeting procedures local law.
His comments come weeks after the council’s last meeting for 2012 was abandoned after furious residents took over the council chambers during public question time.
Incensed landowners questioned the council’s right to increase rates and collect taxes, with three members of the gallery approaching the bench and sitting in councillors’ seats.
After being adjourned twice, the meeting was finally abandoned.
No penalties have been issued.
Mr Tori called on council attendees to respect the authority of local government.
“Council would call on all meeting attendees to show respect due to the institution and to comply with the meeting procedures which is to behave in an orderly and appropriate manner,” he said.
This was not the first time a Melton City Council meeting spiralled out of control and was abandoned. In March 2012 police were called to remove a protestor who refused to put down a placard he was holding.
