Australia's local council secretly votes to allow private security guards to carry guns

An Australian local council has secretly voted to allow members of the Jewish community to carry guns in public areas in response to heightened security concerns.

It was revealed on Monday that Melbourne's Glen Eira Council, in the city's southeast, had voted to allow private security guards to carry weapons in public spaces, such as parks.

The council has offered no comment on the result of the vote, but minutes from a council meeting in October show nine councillors voted on a matter "affecting the security of council property."

News Corp reported that of the nine councillors present only Camden Ward councillor Mary Delahunty opposed the proposal.

"I think the public has the right to know what's going on. That's why I voted against it," Delahunty said on Monday.

"Residents are entitled to know what, if any, threat there is in attending events in public places.

"This is something we should not accept as normal."

On Sunday, a major Jewish festival was held at Caulfield Racecourse. The annual event that began 23 years ago was originally planned at Caulfield Park, but was rescheduled following perceived security threats.

Glen Eira Mayor Neil Pilling did not comment whether private security guards were were allowed to carry guns in public places.

Following the report, Jewish Community Council of Victoria executive director David Marlow said armed guards in public spaces were nothing to be alarmed about and it was "really no big deal."

"All Jewish events have had security guards for donkey's years," Marlow said.

"This area had the first Melbourne school to get armed security guards this year. Once one or two do it it's accepted as normal."

"Initially there might be concerns, but you see armed guards at a lot of places (and) most people don't notice." Enditem