Melbourne City Council denies link between Flinders St homeless camp clean-up and Australian Open

THE homeless set-up outside Flinders Street station has been cleaned this morning but its temporary inhabitants have not been forced to move on.

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THE homeless camp outside Flinders Street station has been cleaned this morning but its temporary inhabitants have not been forced to move on.

Melbourne City Council denied the clean up was related to the Australian Open, instead saying it was a routine operation.

“There is no link between our routine and ongoing clean-up operations and any major events occurring in the city. Melbourne is Australia’s sporting capital and events capital and events occur here on a regular basis,” a statement read.

“In the last two weeks, we have focused on improving public amenity by removing abandoned belongings such doonas, milk crates and rubbish at locations such as Sandridge Bridge, Bourke Street, and Swanston Street.”

A worker cleans up the homeless camp outside Flinders St Station. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Possessions are moved prior to the clean up. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Homeless moved back in after the clean out. Picture: Nicole Garmston

More than a dozen homeless people were present during the clean up at the 100m long camp outside the station on Flinders Street, opposite the Port Phillip Arcade.

About 10 police officers and a further 10 council workers were on hand to assist.

The homeless were mostly compliant, as they were asked to move their belongings to the other side of the footpath so the site could be cleaned.

A huge collection of swags, pillows, clothes, boxes of fruit and vegetables, bread, dog food and miscellaneous items like musical instruments were moved to the edge of the footpath so a street sweeper could make its way through.

The homeless camp along Flinders St Station before the clean up. Picture: Alex Coppel

Glen Noorbergen and his dog Tonka on Flinders St. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

The camp before the clean-up. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Less than an hour later the homeless began moving their possessions back undercover at Flinders St, leaving the camp looking the same as it did earlier in the day.

One dismayed passer-by shouted: “What a publicity stunt!” as people tried to navigate their way through the piles.

One tourist told the Herald Sun, “it wasn’t safe” for her young children to be walking among the boxes.

A young homeless woman was seen washing a bong in a public water tap nearby.

Staff from Launch Housing and The Salvation Army were on hand to attempt to discuss other living options with the homeless.