Residents up in arms about Mossman rough sleepers on Front St
STREET SLEEPING
The issue of people ‘sleeping rough’ in Mossman streets has caught the attention of many local residents in the past few months and, just this week, at least one of our readers.
The latest complaint – sent to Newsport by email – said “First Nations peoples have recently taken to sleeping on the footpath of Front Street Mossman, the main street in Mossman, and also behind the now defunct ANZ Bank building.”
Saying he had taken the issue up with Douglas Shire Council but received no response, the reader asked: “What are the Elders, the Police and the Council doing about this degradation of the visual and living amenity of our fine country town?”
Council has replied to the queries, after we sent off a copy of the points made in the email.
Mayor Michael Kerr responded: “Council is aware of people sleeping rough in Mossman.”
He added: “Council’s Local Laws team does not have authority to follow-up on public nuisance or anti-social behaviour complaints as these are police matters however Council officers can clear items stored on public land.
“While Council has limited authority in this area, we are committed to treating itinerant people with respect and keeping the lines of communication open before any action is taken,” he said.
“Council has referred some people sleeping rough to local community organisations that can assist with food and clothing however there are no homeless outreach services in Mossman.
“Council may directly refer complaints to QPS or direct the customer to QPS if it is outside of Council’s scope.
“Where the complaint has referred to mess and the storage of belongings, Council officers have cleared the mess and worked with the itinerant people to help remove their belongings from a public area. Our goal is always to find a safe and positive outcome for both the complainant and the itinerant person/people in question.”
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