Melbourne City Council announces crackdown on homeless tents pitched in city streets

MELBOURNE is facing a push to confiscate tents pitched in the city streets as makeshift homes.

Selina 22 and Mark cook lunch on their camping stove set up with their tent at Enterprize Park. Picture: Nicole Garmston

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MELBOURNE is facing a push to confiscate tents pitched in the city streets as makeshift homes.

Tents have popped up on streets, in City Square and Enterprize Park during the past year as Melbourne’s homeless population surges.

Melbourne City Council has announced a crackdown on “mushrooming” encampments, with unmanned bedding and rubbish to be swept from streets next week.

A number of abandoned camps have already been turfed from Bourke and Swanston streets this month.

Although sleeping on the street in not a crime, “camping” in a public place carries a fine of $250.

The Herald Sun understands that penalty notices are rarely dished out.

A council spokeswoman said officers organised regular “clean ups” and often requested that tents be removed.

Selina, 22, and Mark cook lunch on their camping stove set up with their tent at Enterprize Park. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“Until recently, there was a good level of compliance,” she said.

“The problem that we have faced over the last few months is that people sleeping rough are being provided with more camping style equipment and any tents and structures taken down reappear a short time after our officers have left the site.”

Melburnians are being urged not to hand out bedding or camping equipment, for fear the well-meaning donations could entrench homelessness.

Instead Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said people should donate to service providers including the Salvation Army.

Major Brendan Nottle said fining people for pitching tents would not achieve much.

But he said immediately confiscating the tents — and redirecting people to health and homelessness services — would send a clear message that they are not tolerated.

“That would be a critical response,” Maj Nottle said.

“If you put a tent up in some national parks they will be onto you straight away.

“They swoop. We don’t have that in the city.

“I can’t understand why we allow tents to be set up in the middle of a capital city.”

@moniquehore