CBD business owner Sally Ferris says staff, clients threatened by homeless as police up patrols

A CBD business owner is calling for greater safety measures amid a rise in anti-social behaviour she says stems from the recent relocation of a homeless support service.

Wonder Yoga owner Sally Ferris with the Outpost in the background and homeless people's makeshift camps. Picture: Alison Wynd

A CBD business owner is calling for greater safety measures amid a rise in anti-social behaviour she says stems from the recent relocation of a homeless support service.

The Outpost last month moved from its longtime home within the Busport building to the site of a former cafe on the corner of Little Ryrie and Star streets.

Sally Ferris, whose Wonder Yoga studio operates nearby, said the move has brought a host of problems with it.

“I understand it is a critical service, it really serves people and I appreciate that,” she said.

“But there’s been no due consultation with neighbouring businesses and in the last few weeks we have seen an exponential increase in what you would call risky behaviour.

“We’ve not seen anything like it here before.”

Wonder Yoga owner Sally Ferris. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Police confirmed an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour in Little Ryrie St.

This includes an incident on Tuesday night where a man claimed he and a friend were returning to their cars when they were threatened with their lives by someone who emerged from “a group of homeless people sleeping in the carpark”.

A police spokesman said daily patrols have been assigned to the area in response to community concerns.

“Everyone in our community deserves to go about their daily lives freely and without fear of harm,” he said.

Ms Ferris’ said her mostly female workforce felt unsafe.

“We’ve had clients accosted and sworn at, we’ve had partly naked people set up camp, we watched multiple people urinate on buildings,” she said.

“We have three female centric businesses adjacent to the Little Ryrie St carpark, all of their clients and staff use it.

“Staff are saying they don’t want to work morning shifts because of the potential risk associated.”

Homeless people's makeshift camps blocking the walkways in the Little Ryrie St carpark. Picture: Alison Wynd

While Ms Ferris said she doesn’t know what the solution is, she said more safety measures such as CCTV cameras in the carpark would be a good start.

“There has to be community engagement,” she said.

Charlie Gunn, who operates her Cecil and Gunn store nearby, said all business operators in the area shared Ms Ferris’ view.

“It’s turning people away from the area,” Ms Gunn said.

“They need somewhere to go, but the council putting it here is just madness.

“Businesses are calling the police every day.”

City of Greater Geelong’s executive director of city life Anthony Basford said a central CBD location for The Outpost was important to ensure access to the service.

The Outpost chair Amy Flint said the organisation made a “genuine effort” to connect with businesses in the months leading up to the move.

“We shared information about our service and extended an open invitation to start a conversation,” Ms Flint said.

“Where businesses were closed, we left flyers under the door.

“One local business chose to follow up and we welcomed the opportunity to engage.”

The Outpost in Little Ryrie St. Picture: Alison Wynd

Ms Flint conceded that while the last few weeks had been a “significant period of adjustment”, the move had seen its services reaching more people.

“The central location and welcoming environment have made the service more reachable to a broader and more diverse range of community members,” she said.

“We’re now seeing more women, children, and older adults accessing support.

“It’s also worth noting that people experiencing homelessness are significantly more likely to be victims of crime, rather than perpetrators.”

Ms Flint said the organisation would “maintain connection with local businesses and stakeholders as part of our commitment to being good neighbours”.

Originally published as CBD business owner Sally Ferris says staff, clients threatened by homeless as police up patrols