As the housing crisis worsens the visibility of homelessness is becoming more apparent and if you’ve driven along Barker Street over the last few weeks its likely you will have noticed the large encampment underneath the Street Rod Centre of Australia sign.
A Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) spokesperson told the Mail that the council became aware of the issue relating to unsightly land and general amenity and is working with the land owner to address these concerns.
“Council has liaised with appropriate agency providers to make contact with the individuals concerned in order to address their specific needs,” said the MASC spokesperson
According to Castlemaine CFA Captain Terry Franklin the land on which the encampment sits belongs to Country Fire Authority. Up until recently the land was leased to another organisation, but it has since reverted back to the CFA.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer from CFA District 2 Steve Alcock told the Mail the CFA will fence the area off this week and clean up the site whilst working with police and the council to move the individual somewhere more appropriate.
“The situation has been going on for the last few weeks. We have made numerous attempts to engage the person so we can relocate them to somewhere more appropriate, clean up the mess and return the land to a more suitable nature,” Alcock said.
Castlemaine Police Acting Senior Sergeant Mick Peckham said that it was his understanding that the individual living at the site has been moved from area to area.
“It’s far from ideal but the police don’t have the resources to solve the core problem,” Peckham said.
“Until a more permanent solution can be found, we are just going to see more and more of this and at this time of year it is very cold and wet for someone to be living in a tent on the side of the road. Police members have spoken to the individual on the site in order to try and resolve the matter.”
Peckham said that it’s great that people in our community want to help, but it’s important to understand that every circumstance is different.
“There can be family violence, mental health, drug and alcohol and financial concerns and we have to treat each case on it’s own merit,” commented Peckham.
“We don’t always want to be the bad guys – we really want to help, but unfortunately there are no easy answers.”
“If you are struggling with an issue please call the police and we will listen and try to help by putting in referrals.”
If you are experiencing/or are worried about someone experiencing homelessness please contact Housing Victoria on 1800 825 955 or contact Dhelkaya Community Health on 5479 1000.