North Sydney Council investigates rough sleepers in Kirribilli, Milsons Point

Residents in the well-heeled postcodes of Kirribilli and Milsons Point have raised alarm bells over an emergence of rough sleepers, with fears the suburbs could be turned into a ‘tent city’.

Residents in one of Sydney’s most well-heeled postcodes have raised alarm bells over an emergence of rough sleepers in parks with fears the suburb could be turned into a “tent city”.

North Sydney Council has been called in to investigate an increase in rough sleepers pitching tents in the Milsons Point and Kirribilli areas in recent weeks following concerns by local homeowners.

Two of the tents have been set up at Bradfield Park opposite Milsons Point Station, prompting objections from some residents over a potential “precedent” and damage the tents could cause to the grass.

Rough sleepers have been also reported sleeping on footpaths in the Kirribilli village town centre and in the Burton St tunnel under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

North Sydney councillor Jilly Gibson said she had been contacted by multiple residents who have called for the rough sleepers to be relocated or moved on.

Thomas Hardy-Burstow has been sleeping rough at Bradfield Park at Milsons for the last month. Picture: Richard Dobson.

But Thomas Hardy-Burstow, 33, who has been sleeping in a tent at the park for the last month, has hit back at the concerns, saying residents should have some “compassion”.

Ms Gibson said no areas were immune to the issue of homelessness, including Kirriblli and Milsons Point.

Pictured is one of the tents at Bradfield Park. Photo: Richard Dobson.

“A lot of residents are contacting me saying they are concerned this will set a precedent and we’ll have tents dominating our parks which some people see as problematic,” she said.

“They’re scared and think it’s inappropriate and Bradfield Park could be turned into some sort of tent city. There are also concerns the tents on the grass could kill off the lawn.

“It’s a very difficult situation but the primary concern is for those residents who are forced to sleep on the street in fairly unsafe and probably uncomfortable conditions.

“I think it’s an issue that’s prevalent in suburbs around the country. It doesn’t matter if it’s down the road from the Prime Minister’s Sydney home or Admiralty House. Nowhere is immune.”

Mr Hardy-Burstow said he has been living at the park for the last month. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Hardy-Burstow said he had been sleeping rough for the last two years and chose Bradfield Park due to its proximity to public transport and amenities.

“I used to stay in hostels but they were getting more and more expensive and I just couldn’t keep doing that so I decided to camp in the bush and sleep rough for a while,” he said.

“Before I was here I was sleeping on the beach at Bondi for a month but there was a grouchy couple who complained and I got moved on.

“Kirribilli is good, there’s public transport and services and you’d be surprised how many people who come and help. 

“It’s been quite cold sometimes at night but I’ve got a sleeping bag and warm blankets so it’s been all right.”

Kirribilli has seen an increase in homelessness.

Mr Hardy-Burstow believed residents who had complained about homeless people in the area should have more “compassion”, saying not everyone sleeps rough by choice.

“It’s dirty – people are trying to get out of the system and some people are just trapped and can’t get out of it,” he said.

“People have to stand in line for food vans now, it’s not good. I think people need more support and people need to be more engaging rather than saying ‘you can’t sleep here’.

“Some people choose the lifestyle but for some it’s not a choice.”

Milsons Point resident Julia Connor, who lives opposite Bradfield Park, said it was the first time she had seen tents pitched in the area.

North Sydney councillor Jilly Gibson said residents have contacted her with concerns about the tents.

“We have three or four permanent people sleeping in the area but it’s the first time I’ve seen a tent in the park and it’s much more recent and much larger,” she said.

“I’ve had calls from residents saying ‘what’s going on’ and are concerned it’s not a good look outside their buildings. We’re all very aware it’s such a tricky social issue but if there was a park opposite you, would you want someone camping there?”

A North Sydney Council spokeswoman said council staff had been “regularly monitoring the situation” and been in contact with one of the tent occupants and are in the process of trying to have him relocated.

“Council visited the occupant with a local support agency to assess the risk level, offer appropriate support and services directly, and provide a contact point that the person can call or go to for further advice or help, should they choose to in the future (but) he did not take up this offer,” she said.

A photo of the tents at the park.

“There are ‘camping prohibited’ signs erected in the park. Council staff, along with the vulnerable persons co-ordinator from NSW Police will be visiting the occupant this week to provide a further wellbeing check and again offer housing and support services.

“As this is a camping prohibited area, he won’t be able to remain camping in the park.”

Cate Sinclair, chief executive of homelessness support agency The Northern Cente, said homelessness was a growing issue across Sydney’s northern suburbs.

“There is a misconception that it isn’t an issue on the north shore but we’ve definitely seen an increase and the need for support is absolutely there,” she said.

“In communities that have never experienced it before, there are people now living on the borderline – I’m having to drop vouchers to big palatial homes in Pymble for example because of the rising cost of living.

“I think the reason for the increase is a combination of domestic violence, mental health, cost of living, then also people living in social housing who may not feel not safe living in that environment.”

The Northern Centre chief executive Cate Sinclair said cost of living was a factor for the rise of homelessness.

On social media, residents in Kirribilli have shared mixed opinions on the emergence of rough sleepers in the suburb with some saying it if you allow “one person to set up camp, next thing your going to have bigger problem to solve with humpies set up all over the place”.

Others say “there is a human being that calls (the tents home) and is warm and comfortable”.

North Sydney Council said the number of people requesting assistance for housing in the local government area had increased over the last decade.

“Council commits to working closely with people who have experience of homelessness in order to ensure that service and policy responses adequately reflect the needs of this group,” the spokeswoman said

“Council recognises the NSW State Government Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places and acknowledges the rights of all members of the community to use public spaces.”