By Marcus Uhe
The City of Casey has assisted a homeless person find alternative accommodation after it was discovered that a makeshift shelter was established at the Oak Tree War Memorial in Cranbourne.
The occupant had hung sheets from the roof of the memorial site to cover the gaps between the roof and the walls and had created a bed to sleep on in the corner, with the pillow underneath the World War One Roll of Honour plaque at the South Gippsland Highway facility.
The occupant was moved-on on Thursday 7 April.
The display had left Junction Village resident and Veteran David McCormack disgusted, particularly with Anzac Day just a few weeks away.
“You can’t get in there to have a look at the plaques,” Mr McCormack said.
“With Anzac Day coming up people are going to want to look at the facility.
“It’s disrespectful.”
Chair of Administrators at the City of Casey Noelene Duff PSM said that the council had referred the individual to a “partner organisation” and understands they are utilising the support available to them.
“The City of Casey is committed to supporting community members who are sleeping rough or who are at risk of homelessness,” Ms Duff said.
“This is achieved in partnership with community organisations and specialist services to provide information and a range of assistance including accommodation, food, employment services and health and wellbeing resources.
“The council endeavours to maintain all public and open spaces to the highest possible standard whilst also respecting the complex circumstances that lead individuals to sleeping rough.
“Council recognises that supporting those in crisis must also be accompanied by a prevention approach that addresses the broader social factors that lead to homelessness.”
The City of Casey’s Affordable Housing Strategy seeks to address the shortfall of affordable housing in the City of Casey, according to Ms Duff, and as part of the council’s advocacy the City of Casey made a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness, to advocate that all Victorians have the right to access appropriate housing.
Ms Duff said the council believes and it is the responsibility of all levels of governments to work together to eliminate homelessness in our state.
“Council will continue its advocacy seeking representation of diverse housing types to meet specific regional needs including crisis accommodation as well as funding for further support for those at risk of homelessness in Casey in the lead up to the State Election.”
