At tonight’s Council meeting, members of the community will be able to watch the livestream remotely but will not be able to attend the gallery in person. We will take questions from the public as usual, but I will read them on behalf of community members.
We are committed to openness and transparency. We love having our community in the gallery.
Recently, there has been a community conversation about the possible re-naming of the precinct in Thomas Street, Dandenong currently known as the Afghan Cultural Bazaar.
The vast majority of people participating in this passionate debate have been respectful. Community elders have emphasised the importance of having your say in our democracy in a safe, respectful way.
Unfortunately, a tiny number of people, including from outside Greater Dandenong, have used violent and threatening language online. We understand Victoria Police are actively investigating these matters. These threats are not directed at Councillors or Council staff.
In this context, we have made a decision to keep our gallery online-only this week. We didn’t take this decision lightly.
Based on all the available information at this time, we think it is a responsible decision, in order to ensure the safety of residents, Councillors and staff.
We are not closing the meeting. Across Victoria, we are one of the most open and transparent councils. This week, we will remain open and transparent, while limiting public viewing to online-only in the interests of community safety.
We emphasise that the overwhelming majority of our community are peaceful, respectful people. Many people have attended our gallery in recent months to speak passionately on this issue, and we’ve maintained orderly, peaceful Council meetings.
Sanjay Manivasagasivam, Acting CEO