Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup receives petition requesting action to address homelessness in the region

Calls to address WA’s growing homelessness crisis have reached even some of the State’s smallest communities with a South West shire taking on board a petition to address the issue.

Last month the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup received a petition requesting the local government make suitable vacant shire spaces and facilities available to people experiencing homelessness.

Receiving more than 60 signatures, Donnybrook resident Lesley Wunnenberg said the homelessness situation was “pretty dire” even in the regional town.

She said she put forward the petition after coming across people sleeping rough in Donnybrook.

“Those people haven’t got running water or toilets or any way of cleaning their clothes or anything like that,” she said.

“We need to be doing something about it.”

Ms Wunnenberg said while it was part of governments’ role to fix the problem, the community needed to look at how it could help out.

“I would like to see something done, even if it’s not huge, just some small changes be made so that people can be, off the street or out of the bush, have a toilet and a shower available occasionally, if not everyday, and at least get some food” she said.

Donnybrook-Balingup shire president Vivienne MacCarthy said homelessness was a complex issue which was primarily the responsibility of the State and Federal governments.

She said while local governments had a limited role, the shire was committed to doing what it could within its constraints.

“For example, we are progressing a draft temporary accommodation policy and updating our local planning scheme to support clearer, more flexible accommodation options,” she said.

“Through actions and developments like these, it will be easier for appropriate forms of housing and short-term accommodation to be considered within the shire.”

Cr MacCarthy said the council recognised the challenges faced by communities in the State as a result of housing pressures and homelessness and the shire was committed to working “constructively” with key stakeholders and the community, within its role and responsibilities, to support “appropriate accommodation options”.

The petition is set to go to the next council meeting on Wednesday, March 25.