By Rod Mitchell
Many residents of the CoPP are increasingly frustrated at the decision making in Council which often appears to ignore resident and trader’s concerns, due process and verifiable consultation. Recently it has come to light that Council is about to install seating along Fitzroy Street.
While this on the surface appears innocuous, deeper analysis suggests that the whole matter requires a halt to the project while the CoPP engages in proper consultation and not treat decision making as fait accompli.
The issues can be summarised as follows.
1.CoPP officers and a Councillor made representations that the police were in favour of the seating. An email from senior police in St Kilda, states that they are opposed to the seating at the current time as it would continue to attract gatherings of people who have complex medical needs, many of whom are drug and alcohol affected and mentally ill. These gatherings are often associated with abusive and antisocial behaviours that make residents feel unsafe and consequently many residents now avoid Fitzroy Street.
2.A CoPP Officer has claimed that there has been consultation with the business owners in the area. I am aware of six businesses that oppose seating at the current time. There are also complaints that there was no proper consultation or council mailouts to business owners. At least seven traders were not consulted.
3. There has been no general community consultation. However, having said that, initial feedback from residents on the seating proposal is negative.
It is no secret that Fitzroy Street is currently problematic with empty shops and a contingent of people gathered on the street, many who are known to locals for their abusive and antisocial behaviours. For Fitzroy St, the first duty of Council is to build confidence by shifting this element off our main retail strips.
The poor economic climate combined with the current atmosphere in Fitzroy Street means that economic prosperity cannot return while the status quo remains. Who other than the rough sleepers will use the proposed seating?
Families with children or the aged, tend to avoid this retail precinct because they feel unsafe. Without prosperity on our retail strips, the general community also suffers including rate collections to Council. We all lose if business cannot thrive.
One particular site for the seating is near the Pride Centre. Over $17 million of public monies was spent on this building as an important infrastructure recognising the LGBTIQ+ community. Currently there is a group of people that gather or “camp” near there shouting homophobic slurs and other things to patrons going to and from the Pride Centre. Adding seating to this area will only give the same group a place to sit while they continue with their unpleasant rants. Is this what we want for Fitzroy Street?
Recently it was also learned that a number of nursing staff who work inside the Pride Centre are considering or have left due to the poisonous atmosphere on Fitzroy Street. Once again, why would anyone want to encourage more of this street behaviour through putting in seating so close to the Centre?
The message to Council is clear, clean up the street gatherings in our retail strips and create the confidence for businesses to reopen and thrive. Once you have achieved that basic goal, then consider seating. Until then, you will only make things worse, if it can get any worse!
I encourage you to sign my petition https://chng.it/GVrGYKNtVg
