Inspector Gordon Dunlop said the men were removed because they kept interrupting speakers and preventing other residents from having a say.

‘‘People are entitled to voice an opinion and ask questions [but] one person’s view shouldn’t dominate an entire discussion,’’ Insp Dunlop said.

He said the men were elderly and were protesting about the impact of the stack on the environment across a number of decades.

Insp Dunlop said the meeting went smoothly other than the brief interruption.

‘‘There were different groups there,’’ he said.

‘‘Some people wanted it to remain, and some wanted it to come down ... one wanted to make it into a viable project.’’

Share your memories or photos of the Port Kembla stack. Email scoop@illawarramercury.com.au