Melbourne homeless crisis: Rough sleepers return to Elizabeth St

HOMELESS camps have re-emerged along Elizabeth St, bringing with them more “rowdy” gatherings and intimidating behaviour.

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HOMELESS camps have re-emerged along Elizabeth St, bringing with them more “rowdy” gatherings and intimidating behaviour.

Rough sleepers have slowly migrated back to the strip over the past four weeks, with sleeping bags and furniture splayed across both sides of the street.

One walked into a tourist shop and urinated over merchandise a fortnight ago.

Regina Tilaar, who works at Traveller Souvenirs and Luggage, told the Herald Sun police were called to the disturbing incident.

“Staff asked him to leave. He was intoxicated,” she said.

Picture essay: A day at the Flinders St homeless camp

Homeless people on Elizabeth Street. Picture: Mark Wilson

Homeless people have been observed spitting on and harassing passer-bys as well as physically attacking each other all in plain view of the public over the past few weeks.

Hair 2 GO Superstore manager Sam Raniolo said he has called police four times in the past month to deal with the worsening issue.

“There’s a guy with a large dog that’s been there for four weeks now,” he said.

“He comes and goes. At night after 6pm, all his friends come and they have parties.

“They smoke dope ... and that’s when all the problems happen.

“They have pipes and alcohol and it gets rowdy.

Hair 2 GO Superstore manager Sam Raniolo. Picture: Mark Wilson

Last week, he called police after a man believed to be drug affected entered his store and sat in the middle of the shop floor.

Police came but were diverted to a fight which broke out between homeless people outside the store, according to Mr Raniolo.

He said business is suffering, with customers terrified they may be targeted by aggressive rough sleepers.

“It’s quiet. Customers are scared. When (the homeless) get together, they take up the whole footpath. They (customers) don’t feel safe,” said Mr Raniolo.

Homeless people have been observed spitting on passer-bys as well as physically attacking each other. Picture: Mark Wilson

Sugar Station worker Chloe Nelson said the confectionery store relies on young children and families, but they have also been driven away due to the camps.

“They have a big scary dog out there and that scares people, particularly kids,” she said. “No one can get through. I had a customer who said she almost missed the shop because she couldn’t recognise it with all the people out the front.”

She claimed a regular member of the homeless clan harasses women as they walk by, then becomes verbally aggressive.

“He makes girls uncomfortable. If they ignore him or do something, he will just start yelling at them and calling them things like s — t,” said Ms Nelson.

Local traders believe the homeless camps have sprung up again in the area due to restoration works at Flinders Street station.

Victoria Police spokesman Thomas O’Byrne said: “Police conduct daily patrol of Elizabeth St and take appropriate action when offences are detected, such as recent arrests in the area.”

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle did not respond to questions surrounding the growing Elizabeth St homeless camp.

Earlier this month, the City of Melbourne opened a night-time safe space for rough sleepers.

Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said almost 100 homeless people had engaged with the state government’s Launch Housing initiative since January.

The outreach program aims to put the homeless in sustainable accommodation.

@AneekaSimonis

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