Cairns homelessness and anti-social behaviour issues spark debate on government spending priorities

Images of unconscious men in the Cairns CBD have fired up locals who expressed shock and despair at the city’s anti-social and homelessness issues. WHAT YOU SAID

AN IMAGE of a twisted pile of unconscious men surrounded by filth in the Cairns CBD has struck a chord with locals who expressed their shock and disgust at the city’s anti-social and homelessness issues.

Hundreds of readers responded to an April 14 Cairns Post story reporting the $4m expansion of the Anglicare-run Lyons St Diversionary Centre, to be upgraded from 36 beds to a 50-bed facility.

However, the start of construction date was marred by Crave Cairns restaurateur Gayle Allen’s photograph of the unconscious men – painting an ugly and heartbreaking picture of Cairns.

The multifaceted issue creates a difficult environment for CBD traders to operate in, while highlighting Cairns’ desperate need for more social services, and Cairns Post readers sympathised with both shop owners and those left on the streets.

While many readers asked why more social housing wasn’t available, commenter Jon and Lou said the facility was “a good start” but wouldn’t resolve the issue.

“Many of these folks prefer to sleep on the streets and get high with their mates. There needs to be a more hands-on approach to the ones that aren’t just down on their luck and would appreciate a bed, but are the trouble makers.”

A man sleeps on a public bench in Abbott St. Picture: Brendan Radke

Other readers revealed the display was leading to them boycotting the CBD all together.

“Like I keep saying you can spend millions of dollars in Cairns to attract visitors but when you have this laying around it’s a waste of money and it’s embarrassing,” Yvette Tipo said.

“I used to start work before 6am and the number of bodies curled up in doorways, the stench or stale urine and faeces around garden beds and the odd conscious but obviously still intoxicated itinerants was very evident. Not the best to welcome visitors to our city,” commenter Pedro said.

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Another commenter, Dave, said the situation was a clear example of why the government needed to trial a cashless social debit card in the Far North, while many other readers stated less should be spent on renovating the city’s centres and buildings, and more than $4 million should have been spent on social accommodation.

“This is what happens when the council keeps splashing cash to ‘paint over’ the issues. You can make the CBD as nice as you want and create all these things for rich people and tourists to enjoy but the local people are struggling so badly and homelessness is on the rise as rent prices rise without limit or respite,” Rayetta Adams said.

Originally published as Cairns homelessness and anti-social behaviour issues spark debate on government spending priorities