About 50 people, including families and pensioners living in caravans, cars and tents, who began living on Memorial Drive this year have been given their marching orders, a decision that’s been widely condemned by the Greens and One Nation.
On Wednesday, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) gave letters to dozens of people living at the encampment in Rockingham with orders to vacate by Tuesday next week.
The use of the land by rough sleepers has been condemned by the State Government in recent months, with concerns raised regarding traffic safety, rubbish, limited toilets and increasing anti-social behaviour.
On Thursday, Housing Minister John Carey defended the decision to evict the campers, saying many refused help.
“I’ve never seen such a significant and exhaustive use of resources, touch points, engagements, getting into accommodation,” he said.
“But here’s the fact, and we come with a compassionate approach, but my understanding is… there have been some that have refused help.”
Mr Carey claimed move on notices had to be issued: “when you have antisocial behaviour or potential violence.
“Often, it can be violence of homeless people or rough sleepers with someone else.
“There is an obligation to step in and resolve that issue.”
Mr Carey rubbished opposition leader Basil Zempilas’ suggestion to move them to the Bullsbrook Quarantine Centre.
“It’s in the middle of nowhere,” he added.
“So, which service providers am I going to get to assist in that scenario? And,
“Also, how many people are we going to transfer there, assuming they will voluntarily go there?”
In a statement on Facebook, Rockingham MP Magenta Marshall said the decision had not been made lightly.
“The situation at Memorial Drive has continued to deteriorate, with growing safety concerns and increased reports of antisocial behaviour,” she wrote.
“Outreach and support services will be on site every day throughout the transition period and beyond.
“Every person currently at Memorial Drive will be offered accommodation in some form and connected with services appropriate to their individual circumstances.”
Newly elected parliamentarian, One Nation’s Luke Herdegen said what’s happening on Memorial Drive was “disgusting”.
“To move these people on with no place to go, it is absolutely disgusting,” he said.
“The government says they’re being offered transitional accommodation, you know, hotels and things until they can find long-term. Well, that’s not the reports I’ve seen coming out of Memorial Drive.”
Greens WA MP Tim Clifford said orders to clear the homeless encampment was a heartbreaking symbol of almost a decade of housing policy failure.
“A pox on both their houses. It’s no wonder homelessness is exploding in WA when the Cook Labor Government continues to fail to address its root causes,” he said.
“Yet again, this latest move does nothing to actually tackle WA’s homelessness crisis – it simply moves it elsewhere.”
One of Memorial Drive’s longest residents Ken told 7NEWS that he was pissed off.
“I enjoyed living here, now I have to give it up again and go back to my original way of life,” he said.
Peter, who is 75 years old, said he has no where else to go.
“I’ve been put on the waiting list again and now it’s been five years on a waiting list for Department of Housing and nothing’s happened,” he said.
The State Government announced that it would be funding a Safe Night Space for Rockingham.
This would provide safe overnight shelter, meals, shower and laundry facilities, and case management support for about 30 people and delivered by local support group The CREW.
However, the service open date is months away.
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