Cr Rod Hardy, a serving police officer and councillor, will move a motion calling for more effective local law on encampments at next Wednesday’s Council meeting.
The motion calls for a three-month investigation by council officers into changing local laws dealing with occupying or sleeping on council land or public spaces.
Supporting the motion, Cr Hardy provided this statement:
“Over time, I have seen the amenity of our municipality deteriorate to the point where the community is constantly raising their concerns to Council about how unsafe they feel. This culminated in the recent community-organized march along Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.
“My proposed amendments to the existing local law strengthen, give greater authority, and provide clarity to council staff and authorized officers in preserving the amenity of the City of Port Phillip for all residents.
“In doing this, we will maintain our ongoing compassionate approach to assisting the most vulnerable within our community, as resolved by Council at the 11 December 2024 Council meeting.”
Cr Hardy focused on encampments
In an additional statement exclusively for TWiSK, Cr Hardy focused the issue on encampments [published in full]:
“The CoPP has seen a rise in encampments consisting of groups of people using discarded furniture and objects to create a place to live. Examples of this have been the Jackson St carpark, people living on Fitzroy Street and encampments on the west beach which included backpackers. This creates a hazard for pedestrians, shopkeepers, fire and health hazards and exacerbates anti-social behaviours.
“The amendment to the local law is centered on these encampments giving council staff and authorized officers clarity and the authority to remove the encampments without risking arguments on the interpretation of the law. The main word in this amendment is ‘may’, this gives the officers a discretion in the removal and or displacement of people who are genuinely in need of support.
“This amendment to the local law needs to be initiated ASAP and, in my opinion, compliments the excellent initiative of the Community Safety round table which is concentrating on numerous issues that need to be addressed.”
No shortage of seconders
TWiSK also spoke to Cr Serge Thomann, who told us he was hoping to second the motion.
“Changing local laws has been a discussion among councillors since we were elected in November,” Serge said.
“We’ve all heard the community’s concern about what is happening. That’s why we have unanimously initiated the Community Safety Round Table.
“Part of what we bring to the table is our local laws, and there are concerns that they are not clear enough regarding rough sleeping.
“The motion from Cr Hardy asks officers to suggest changes to local laws that are clearer, fairer, and most importantly more enforceable by police and council-authorized officers.
“We need to put safety first and support the well-being of everybody in the community,” he said.
Changes to local laws are a lengthy statutory process involving both council and state authorities. Once completed, the primary enforcement of local laws will still rest with the police.
Meanwhile, on the mean streets of St Kilda …
In the CoPP CEO Report September – December 2024 (also set to be tabled this week) there is some detailed information about the activity of council amenity officers.
‘[Over the 3 months] 30 joint patrols with Victoria Police were conducted in hotspot areas of Fitzroy, Acland and Carlisle Streets.
‘City Amenity Officers [also] carried out a joint patrol of Fraser Street dunes in St Kilda West with police in early December. Officers removed three tents, two knives and 129 used syringes. One arrest was made by police for a person masturbating in public.
‘City Amenity Officers coordinated with police to remove a dozen squatters from vacant land at 17 Grosvenor Street, Balaclava. Knives, drugs and stolen goods were recovered before builders sealed windows and doors with steel over three days. The site covers and entire residential block owned by Housing First and is due for demolition.’
One rough sleeper at a time
The CEO also reported on so-called escalation meetings for those sleeping rough.
‘City Amenity along with Police, Ngwala and Officers from Council’s Housing, Safety & Reconciliation team have worked together to establish escalation meetings for persons most in need of immediate assistance. The teams most recently met to discuss a long-term person sleeping rough having an enormous impact on the St Kilda. The teams were able to get her housing through her care worker and City Amenity assisted to get into this housing.’
Source CEO Report 114.
