Who is responsible?

Complex issues needing coordination to get results.

In early July, residents from EastEnders and Residents 3000 and local business owners were invited to view the new Cohealth clinic established by the state government in the Salvation Army building at 69 Bourke St.

Attendees were able to see how efforts are being made to provide wraparound services and mental health support for people who have fallen on hard times, who may have drug, alcohol addiction or mental issues and who are unable to obtain the services they need, to improve and turn their lives around. The aim is to address these issues for the small percentage of disadvantaged people in our society who tend to frequent the Melbourne CBD.

As was explained at the meeting, all societies since the beginning of time, have individuals that do not fit with the norm, who have difficulty conforming and may even be bad players who disrupt our society. Very often, they have medical issues and that is what is being addressed with the new clinic. The Salvation Army plays a role in providing these people with a social network and the encouragement they need to make changes.

But what happened at the meeting?

What was important about this meeting, that hit this correspondent like a sledgehammer, was the palpable concern of the residents and shop owners, that gave the meeting a special energy – the attendees were really stressed about the current state of the situation in the city, where amenity for the majority is being undermined by the few.

The people who own and operate the designer clothing store next door complained about the people who congregate in the laneway outside the premises, making mess, drinking, being anti-social, creating a commotion and obviously dealing in drugs.

Then there were questions about what is being done to encourage people to move away from rough sleeping and offensive behaviour. The Salvation Army explained that they have accommodation outside of the city to assist these people, but they do not have powers to move them on. They said that some “prefer” to live on the streets and seem to be unaware that destroying the amenity of the CBD environment impacts residents and visitors emotionally, causing distress and concern.

Other concerns were brought up. A resident who has lived for many years across the street feels unsafe and complained that the incidence of anti-social behaviour had increased in recent years. Then there are the rubbish problems in laneways and streets all over the city, particularly around the Queen Victoria Market area.

How is the city to achieve results?

There are many players tackling these problems that are impacting the lives of the majority of city citizens.

• City of Melbourne – CCTV, community safety officers
• State Government – clinic run by Cohealth
• Federal Government - funding
• Victoria Police – local laws against camping but not for rough sleeping
• Alfred Health – emergency safety services for drug and psychiatric services
• Salvation Army – food, socialisation and some accommodation
• Cohealth – essential health and support services
• Melbourne City Mission – support homelessness, disability, early childhood, palliative care and mental health
• The Living Room – accommodation for rough sleepers to help with rehabilitation

All these services are well intentioned and can be applauded for their efforts, but the fact remains that CBD residents and business owners are simply not seeing results.

Who is managing the co-ordination of services?

There is such an opportunity to embrace the various roles being played by the services listed above. The question CBD people are asking, with great concern and vigorous debate, is “how are these initiatives being co-ordinated and effectively managed?”

If the City of Melbourne is to become “the most liveable” then the problems of homelessness, public drinking and drunkenness, drug dealing and usage, people needing help, bad actors causing disruptions, rubbish in the streets, criminal behaviour making people feel and be unsafe, need to be resolved.

Next Forum 3000 monthly event

The Residents 3000 committee are working hard on our next event for Thursday, August 7, 6pm at the Kelvin Club. Someone said it maybe green, but please refer to residents3000.org.au and follow us on social media for more details closer to the time. •