Homeless camp outside Queen Victoria Market dismantled by Council

Rough sleepers were moved away from the Queen Victoria Market on Friday, with the Lord Mayor saying they were discussing how to tackle the issue with the state government.

Homeless people and their belongings seen near Melbourne’s Queen Victoria market. Picture: Luis Ascui

Council workers have dismantled another homeless camp outside Queen Victoria Market.

Rough sleepers were moved away from Franklin St, near the market carpark, on Friday.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the City of Melbourne was “acutely aware of the issue at Queen Victoria Market” and had been attending the site daily.

“This will continue until we find a resolution. We are actively looking at ways to support those in the area, while keeping the precinct clean and safe, maintaining access and encouraging visitation,” Ms Capp said.

The council plans to re-purpose a building at 602 Little Bourke St into short-term supported accommodation for up to 50 rough sleepers. Picture: Luis Ascui

“We are alarmed at growing numbers of rough sleepers across the city and we are in active discussions with state government in addressing this urgent issue.”

The council plans to re-purpose a building at 602 Little Bourke St into short-term supported accommodation for up to 50 rough sleepers, but has not confirmed when the project will get underway.

Salvation Army Commanding Officer Brendan Nottle said the project will help address the issue, adding that rough sleepers have been setting up shop outside Queen Victoria Market “for decades”.

“I think the question is, what’s the next step after that? For people who are sleeping rough when they do have accommodation, I think they tend to drift back onto the streets,” he said.