News & Discussion: Adelaide City Council

[[Shuz]]

I think more importantly, why are they not debating the relgious exemption/law which allows these preachers to do what they are doing in the first place!

[Ben]

Any word on whether the council did actually recommend to the DAC to reject Flinders Street?

[metro]

In a time when retail is already struggling, the last thing Adelaide's main shopping area needs is a bunch of brainwashed clowns with big banners and screaming religious BS at people, causing others to scream back at them while what few shoppers there are get scared and never come back

Need to give police and mall security the ability to remove people like preachers and give them a space in the city where they can preach. If these nut jobs want to get their message across in the mall they'd better bring their guitars along next time and sing it, although I doubt any of them have any musical talent

[Waewick]

seriously - what planet do we live on. Instead of ignoring them people are screaming back (wierd) or "getting scared" (pathetic)

people need to take a step back and realise they are not as precious as their mum told them and toughen up a bit.

[Will]

seriously - what planet do we live on. Instead of ignoring them people are screaming back (wierd) or "getting scared" (pathetic)

people need to take a step back and realise they are not as precious as their mum told them and toughen up a bit.

I completely agree. I think this issue with the preachers has been completely blown out of proportion.

When I go to Rundle Mall, I simply ignore them.

[monotonehell]

The problem with that is they've been ignored for years and they still shout at passers by. Earlier this year people started asking themselves whether they should be putting up with them. Some decided no.

The problem is not only will nothing dissuade them, everything encourages them. Ignore them and they shout louder, they get bigger signs, they use amplification. Shout back and they shout louder, they get bigger signs, the use more amplification.

They cant be reasoned with. They cant be threatened. But they need to realise that this is not the forum for their sermons.


I'd like to know what would happen if they set up camp inside a Westfield on Thursday night.

[[Shuz]]

The problem with that is they've been ignored for years and they still shout at passers by. Earlier this year people started asking themselves whether they should be putting up with them. Some decided no.

The problem is not only will nothing dissuade them, everything encourages them. Ignore them and they shout louder, they get bigger signs, they use amplification. Shout back and they shout louder, they get bigger signs, the use more amplification.

They cant be reasoned with. They cant be threatened. But they need to realise that this is not the forum for their sermons.


I'd like to know what would happen if they set up camp inside a Westfield on Thursday night.

Which brings into question - why can't they "privatise" Rundle Mall in a way, like SA Water is to the Dept of Water? It's still in the hands of the ACC, but someone like the Rundle Mall Management Authority 'controls' its day-to-day things, like security!

[Waewick]

who cares if they get louder

they get louder, people continue to ignore them then they leave.

people yelling at them only stregthens their resolve and makes the person doing the yelling look pretty bloody stupid.

[Pants]

...and in the period they take to leave due to a lack of attention they continue to offend people and quite possibly, put people off going to the mall - people who might not come back even if/when they're gone.

I suspect that Mono's right though. They like the sound of their own voice. I don't think ignoring them will make them go away.

[Nathan]

http://city-messenger.whereilive.com.au ... arliament/

Preacher bylaw passed by Parliament
22 NOV 11 @ 03:43PM BY ALICE HIGGINS

RUNDLE Mall preachers who use amplifiers or stages to spread their message will be hit with $750 on-the-spot fines, under a new bylaw passed by State Parliament.

Lower House MPs voted in favour of the bylaw on Tuesday, November 22.

Preachers who continuously breach the bylaw will be fined a further $50 each time they are caught.

The bylaw, which now must be tabled in Parliament, is expected to be in place before Christmas.

Rundle Mall Management Authority general manager Martin Haese welcomed the bylaw but said the “proof will be in the pudding”.

“We welcome the State Government getting into the game, they have shown a real sense of commitment and a real sense of urgency,” Mr Haese said.

“(But) the big question still remains around enforceability.”

The preachers, who clash with protesters most Friday nights, have been accused of harassing people and spreading misogynist, homophobic and anti-Muslim views.

Protest co-organiser Loz Reid said she was pleased the bylaw had been given the green light.

“It’s great they have passed it so quickly, it was about time,” Ms Reid said.

Street Church preacher Caleb Corneloup said his group would breach the bylaw.

“We will have to talk together as a group as to whether we use amplifiers or not but we will definitely use (stages),” Mr Corneloup said.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said the council would now work with Police Minister Jennifer Rankine and Police Commissioner Mal Hyde to ensure the bylaw was enforced.

“We will be exploring any other additional steps we need but also expect enforcement to be rigorous,” Mr Yarwood said.

Adelaide MP Rachel Sanderson (Liberal) said the government’s bylaw did not go far enough.

She wants preachers using unauthorised amplifiers to be fined up to $1250 or face three months in jail.

She has already introduced her own Bill including the tougher penalties and will seek support from fellow MPs this week.

[crawf]

Fantastic to hear!

[monotonehell]

While this seems like good news, I had to lol at the last part...

Adelaide MP Rachel Sanderson (Liberal) said the government’s bylaw did not go far enough.

She wants preachers using unauthorised amplifiers to be fined up to $1250 or face three months in jail.

She has already introduced her own Bill including the tougher penalties and will seek support from fellow MPs this week.

[Wayno]

One of Yarwood's pet projects is still on the agenda - Little India,

From ABC online:

Adelaide City Council is considering developing an Indian precinct in the city, along the lines of the city's Chinatown area.

It is keen to work with the Indian community to determine the best location.

Councillor Natasha Malani says about 23,000 people of Indian backgrounds live in Adelaide and Indian student numbers are growing.

"The intent is that they can have a place to showcase and celebrate their culture, but also it's about visitation and attracting tourists and residents to the city to eat, shop and share a fabulous culture," she said.

This week's council meeting has voted to pursue the issue and have more discussions with traders around Gouger Street.

[Burger]

Oh FFS! The simple way for the preachers to be dealt with is for the Police to require them to move on or be charged with disturbing the peace and loitering. And warn then that if they return, they will be charged then too. I've dealt with a number of CDB centres (admittedly mostly in the eastern states) and that's the easiest way to get them moved. Used it just the other week with the Occupy Melbourne pinheads standing in front of one of our Centres with megaphones etc.

Disturbing the peace isn't just for loud, late night parties. It can be any time of the day or night as long as whatever it is that you are doing is affecting other people's reasonable enjoyment of the area. If you crank out a jack-hammer in a residential area in the middle of the day for no good reason, you can get done. It's about what is appropriate and reasonable in that environment.

[Vee]

It's not just about megaphones, loud speakers and platforms or day versus night but the messages of hate by these preachers.
Don't we have anti-vilification laws that can be used? The police would seem to be the best means to act on complaints.

Human pests have been cleared out of the mall in the past and many of these were more noise eg loud bell ringing than offensive message. Why is it so hard to rid the city streets and parks of these hate mongering, attention seeking people?