Services concerned after Bunbury homeless forced to move on from “tent city” at music shell as upgrades begin

Members of Bunbury’s homeless community have been kicked out of a make-shift “tent city” at a performance space in the CBD to allow the area to undergo upgrades, but support services are worried those vulnerable have been left with nowhere to go. More than a dozen people had been camped at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Sound Shell for months-long periods — a yearly issue for the city during winter — but they were yesterday moved on by police and rangers when the shell was closed and a fence was put up. The City said support agencies were informed of the planned closure the week prior, but services have voiced concerns the abrupt move would leave those displaced without any sense of security. Anglicare WA South West services manager Cathy Mills said she respected the city had a job to do but short notice and limited accommodation meant there were little options for people to go. “We’ve had people sleeping (at the shell) for as long as I can remember this year... they’re some of our most vulnerable community members,” she said. “The stories coming back to us are heartbreaking. They’ve had a place that has been a sanctuary and stable, secure home and now they’re moved on and displaced again.” David Bailey, chair of the InTown Centre — which offers a day centre and meals service for people facing homelessness, unemployment and social isolation — said he had no idea where those sleeping at the shell would go, but with unpredictable weather their tents would not provide much shelter. “Whether it’s summer or winter, it still means they have no roof, walls or security and this has been allowed to go on and on,” he said. “What is the long-term plan is the bigger question.” City of Bunbury acting CEO Gary Barbour said in a statement the shell had been closed for maintenance and upgrades for upcoming events and the area would remain shut until further notice. He said city staff, police and outreach services had visited the shell since the start of last week to inform those using the space of the upcoming closure. “Staff remain in regular contact with the support agencies and service providers to ensure those community members impacted have access to the support services available,” Mr Barbour said. But Mr Bailey said he believed all levels of government were letting the homeless down. “There’s a lack of available social housing in Bunbury to help people, so even when they do engage with those services they’re not always equipped to help,” he said It comes as Bunbury-based Nationals MLC James Hayward last month called on the State Government to do more to house those sleeping at the shell each night. Mr Hayward said the situation was “disgraceful” and called for a temporary shelter to be established to house those sleeping rough rather than leaving them “at risk” on the streets. Mr Barbour said the City continued to support the State Government’s Housing First homelessness strategy, which includes a $9.4 million project linking case workers in Perth and Bunbury directly with people experiencing homelessness to offer them a pathway to stable accommodation. The five-year initiative aims to help those in need find and maintain stable housing and provide wraparound services and is being led in Bunbury by Anglicare WA, Breakaway Aboriginal Corporation and Doors Wide Open. Ms Mills said a lack of housing stock was stalling the rollout, but the services were working to get people ready for when accommodation becomes available. “The housing first principles are great and in the meantime if people can’t access the Bricknell Shell to shelter from the elements, we need to be looking at what they need and finding emergency accommodation for people in vulnerable positions,” she said.