Perth Voice Interactive

THE Department of Communities says it has stepped up security patrols at an inner-city housing complex residents claim is beset by druggies and anti-social behaviour (“Like living in hell,” Perth Voice, August 10, 2024).

A spokesperson for the department said it hadn’t received any complaints about one of the units other residents had pointed the finger at, but in response to their concerns would be upgrading gates and fences around the complex.

Voice questions to the department last week got scooped up in their spam software and missed, but they provided the following statement this week in response to our story, attributed to a “spokesperson”.

“The Department of Communities (Communities) manages public housing tenancies in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and in the vast majority of cases, tenancy agreements are observed without concern or incident. 

“The department takes complaints regarding tenancy matters seriously and undertakes investigations, where appropriate. Where any tenancy breaches are corroborated, the department will take appropriate action. 

“However, any alleged criminal matters – regardless of where they take place – are matters for WA Police, and residents are advised to report any suspected criminal matters to WA Police. 

“The Department of Communities is not a law enforcement agency, and it does not have the power to investigate suspected or alleged illegal activities or criminal matters. 

Patrol

“Communities has no record of complaints in relation to the tenant of the unit at the Wellington Street complex referred to in the Voice story.

“Notwithstanding this, Communities has increased its security guard and patrol presence at the complex, and the department is also installing new custom panels to the Prince Lane security gates and fencing, along with a metal screen to deter access for unwanted visitors. 

“Communities has taken action on corroborated claims against other tenancies within the complex. 

“This has included issuing strike notices where appropriate, in keeping with the department’s disruptive behaviour management protocols. 

“Communities works collaboratively with WA Police Force to prioritise resident and community safety. 

“Communities is not a law enforcement agency and does not have the power to investigate suspected illegal activities, which in the first instance should be reported to the WA Police Force on 131 444. 

“Communities has no authority to prevent the WA Police Force from issuing move on notifications to any non-resident who is deemed to be causing issues within the complex or within adjacent areas. 

“Communities advises its residents, all complaints regarding alleged criminal behaviour, should be directed to WA Police Force. 

“A decision to terminate a tenancy agreement, ultimately sits with the magistrate, who will only grant an order for vacant possession if satisfied that there has been a breach of the tenancy agreement, and that the tenant has been given every opportunity to rectify the breach and has failed to do so.”

• MP responds: See Perth MP John Carey’s reponse to our story over the page.

by STEVE GRANT