Cramer St homeless camp labelled ‘intimidating’ by public

A homeless encampment on a main road in Melbourne’s north has been labelled “unsightly” by the public, but there is no timeline on when the group will be forced to move by authorities.

A homeless encampment on a main street in Preston can’t be moved because there is nowhere for them to go. (File image).

A homeless encampment on a main road in Preston has been labelled “intimidating” and “unsightly” by the public.

But while police and other authorities have been working to relocate the group, there is no time frame on when this will take place.

The group of rough sleepers has set up a campsite on the corner of Mary St and Cramer St.

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The camp includes tents, tables and chairs and a number of platforms suspended in a tree.

Darebin Mayor Susan Rennie said the council had been working for about a month with Haven Home Safe, Victoria Police and HousingVic to help find the group appropriate accommodation.

“Moving people on can simply move the issue of homelessness to another location,” she said.

“I’ve walked past with my nine-year-old son, it’s very intimidating.”

Darebin proactive policing operative Senior Constable Peta Williams said the group had been connected with housing and substanceabuse services but the lack of available emergency accommodation made relocation difficult.

“We know of people who are on nine-year waiting lists to get housing and there’s really no short-term accommodation available,” she said.

But Preston father Adrian Pappas labelled the response as “pretty poor”.

“I’ve walked past with my nine-year-old son, it’s very intimidating,” he said.

“They’re drinking excessively and that’s a dry area. It’s unsightly.”

Sen-Constable Williams said police regularly visited the area and forced the group to tip out any alcohol they were found with.

“That will hurt them more than any fine will,” she said.

Mr Pappas said the busy pocket wasn’t safe and the area, which has a public barbecue, should be available for families to use.

Cr Rennie said she encouraged the community to use the space on the corner.

“All people have a right to be in public places, while at the same time respecting the right of local community members to live in a safe and peaceful environment,” she said.

Preston-based Haven Home Safe has had an 86 per cent increase in demand for its services since 2011.