Disruption by conspiracy theorists has led a Melbourne council to close the doors on its meetings. 

Yarra Ranges Council in Melbourne's outer east has closed its doors to physical attendance at meetings due to a pattern of verbal abuse, intimidation and anti-social behaviour by some members of the public. 

This move is allowed under security provisions in the Local Government Act 2020, and the council will continue to live stream its meetings. 

The decision was made for the safety of councillors and the general public, and it will be reassessed in June.

The council had attempted to control aggressive members of the public over the past few months by introducing security and reconfiguring the public gallery to be separate from the chamber. 

In late January, the council was forced to adjourn a meeting after a number of outbursts from the public gallery.

According to Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child, the behaviour is being driven by people caught up in conspiracy theories about 15-minute cities, 5G mobile phone towers and vaccinations. He blamed a group known as My Place for the behaviour.

Dean Hurlston, the vice president of Council Watch, which was formerly the Ratepayers Victoria, accused the council of stifling democracy. 

However, CEO of the City of Whittlesea Craig Lloyd says that while there has also been an increase in anti-social behaviour in the public gallery, council meetings are still open to residents, but the situation is being monitored.