Richard Casley fights back to opposition to his Daly St rooming house in Frankston

ROOMING house operator Richard Casley has hit out at residents complaining about his Daly St facility.

ROOMING house operator Richard Casley has hit out at residents complaining about his Daly St facility.

Raising the matter at this week’s Frankston Council meeting, Mr Casley questioned why council was investigating the matter when residents had never complained directly to him or fellow operator Nathan Cross.

General manager communities Gillian Kay said council encouraged neighbours to settle differences amicably and in person, however, this was not always possible.

The Leader reported recently that council launched an investigation after more than 30 residents signed a petition calling on council to review two rooming houses in Daly St, Frankston.

They claimed both rooming houses had “caused a large increase of criminal activity ... and have constant police and ambulance attendances”.

The petition also stated Daly St residents constantly lived in “fear of further criminal act­ivity, safety and loss of property”.

Dr Kay said council had a responsibility to investigate allegations subject to legislative authority and local laws compliance.

“It is desirable that all communities can live in harmony without fear or stress relating to anti-social behaviour,” she said.

“Officers work to fully understand the nature of complaints to ensure fair and reasonable responses to situations that give rise to grievances.

“Any investigation conducted by council is done in a non-judgemental, transparent and equitable manner.”

Mr Casley and Mr Cross said they accommodated people in crisis who would otherwise be homeless and this was an “important community service”.