Port Phillip Council forced to spend $7000 a month on security due to serial pest

AN aggressive homeless man sleeping behind a Melbourne town hall has spooked a council into forking out tens of thousands of dollars in security costs.

More than $34,000 of ratepayers’ money has been spent on guards at St Kilda town hall since they were hired by Port Phillip Council at the end of May.

PORT Phillip Council is spending nearly $7000 a month on security at its St Kilda town hall because of one troublemaker.

The council confirmed there had been “a significant number” of complaints from the public and council staff about aggressive and abusive behaviour by the man, who is believed to be sleeping rough behind the town hall.

CARLISLE ST GETS 24-HOUR STREET DRINKING BAN

NOTORIOUS BROTHEL REPLACED BY ‘DODGY’ DRUG REHAB

More than $34,000 of ratepayers’ money has been spent on guards since they were hired at the end of May.

Chief executive Peter Smith said the man had refused help from welfare services.

“(The) council is doing everything possible to balance the needs of the individual with our responsibility to ensure the safety of the community and council officers,” he said.

“We continue to encourage (the man) to take up the offers of assistance.”

Inspector Jason Kelly confirmed reports had been made to police, who were working with the council to address this issue.

“We have been working with the council and support services to assist with a particular vulnerable individual who has been sleeping rough in and around the town hall,” he said. “We’re approaching it in a collaborative way with all the agencies to resolve the complex issues around homelessness.”

MORE LEADER NEWS

PEOPLE POWER QUASHES MACEDON RANGES MINE BID

MONASH UNIVERSITY STUDENT JAILED FOR RAPE