Perth Voice Interactive

TWO potted lemon trees have caused public outcry after the City of Fremantle placed them in front of a popular sleeping spot for Freo’s homeless population.

Fremantle resident Sarah Davis says she was “mortified” and “deeply upset” to see the trees in front of the vacant Hungry Jacks building in an effort to prevent homeless people from sleeping on the Cappuccino Strip. 

“[Freo’s homeless population] are constantly being told that they need to move on, which to me says that we’re telling them that they’re not welcome here, not welcome in the eyeline of visitors, which is such a horrible message to send as a resident,” Ms Davis said. 

“That’s just not the kind of message that I want to be sending as someone who lives here, for our most vulnerable community members.” 

Ms Davis was part of a group of people who moved the pots so people sleeping there could return. 

In an interview on 6PR on Thursday morning, Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge says the pot placement was in response to “concerns from the community” about the people sleeping there. 

“This location has been used as a shelter for some time, with occupants consistently declining access to state government and not-for-profit support services… there has also been a recent increase in anti-social behaviour at this location,” Ms Fitzhardinge said. 

“The building on the Cappuccino Strip has been the focus of recent attention with requests from local business owners for the City to do more to address the situation. 

“The temporary measure was undertaken in consultation with the Melbourne-based property owner.” 

Ms Fitzhardinge says the City is “actively” working with “agencies and WA Police” to mitigate impact on Fremantle’s homeless population. 

“The City is constantly balancing the desires of the community with our compassion for the most vulnerable when making decisions and taking actions,” Ms Fitzhardinge said. 

“We will continue to advocate for and work with the appropriate agencies to ensure there are continued support and care options locally.”

Ms Davis acknowledged that antisocial behaviour had occurred in the area but says said it was “not the solution” to managing Freo’s homeless population. 

“I could not think of anything more obtuse and hurtful and damaging to these people than literally placing massive trees in an area they have been sleeping,” Ms Davis said. 

“I just thing there’s many more options that could have been employed rather than obstructing their sleeping places… this could happen to any one of us at any rtime, and I would hope that if it did happen to me or any one of my friends, that there would be a little more compassion shown [by the City]. 

“It’s not even a band-aid…it’s like one of those hospital band aids that come off immediately,” she said.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER