The masked man, who wore a steel helmet, long coat and gumboots – along with a protest sign - entered the council meeting just after public question time about 7pm.

The sign referred to the council lifting its rates as ``highway robbery’’ and also said it was time to ``stop the plunder’’.

The man, who stood silently leaning against the wall of the council chamber, was told to either leave or remove his helmet by Mayor Tim Hayes.

When it became clear the man was not going to budge Cr Hayes declared the meeting adjourned.

Today, shire acting CEO Philip Shanahan said Cr Hayes was ``100 per cent correct’’ to adjourn the meeting.

``The ‘Ned Kelly’ protester was perfectly entitled to make his silent protest as he did,’’ Mr Shanahan said.

``But if he were to remain at the meeting he needed to remove his helmet.

``There is no parliament, federal, state or council meeting where ‘masked people’ can stand and intimidate people who are involved in democratic decision making.

``I had many staff at the meeting – does anyone really think that it’s OK to cover your face and enter people’s workplace?

``It’s totally unacceptable in an Australian democratic system.’’

Mr Shanahan said the meeting would be held at a later date which was still to be decided.