SECURITY measures introduced at City of Greater Bendigo council meetings to ensure the safety of councillors have been scaled back.
Meetings are no longer video recorded, a measure that was introduced in January last year following a series of tense council meetings that saw protesters cause rowdy scenes over the Huntly supermarket development.
Other measures introduced included a rope dividing the public gallery from councillors and directors and signs declaring council’s right under the Local Government Act to issue fines to any person carrying signs or placards.City of Greater Bendigo
mayor David Jones yesterday said the rope and signs were still in place, but the council had stopped video recording meetings.
“However sound recording is undertaken at each meeting,” he said.
“The recording was added when the sound system was introduced and was primarily done to allow for an accurate record.
“The sound system has been supported by members of the gallery as it allows people the ability to hear the debate.”
Cr Jones said it was  difficult to determine how effective the measures were during the past year. “The demarcation between the councillors’ area and the public gallery has largely been respected,” he said.
“During the Howard Street debate there were times when members of EHAG stood near councillors and that was deemed inappropriate.
“There have been no particular matters of concern since.”