Darwin News
Long Erm Solutions Needed
Residents of Palmerston have been concerned at the unplanned growth of an itinerant camp adjacent to Roystonea Avenue, near the Palmerston Medical Clinic.
Member for Brennan Peter Chandler said the Itinerant Camp began to appear earlier this year and has resulted in a number of reports of anti-social behaviour, property crime and dangerous pedestrian activity across Roystonea Avenue.
Mr Chandler wrote to the Minister for Lands and Planning, Delia Lawrie, twice in recent months alerting her to the problem. Other than acknowledging the letters, no action has been taken to find a workable solution to the problem.
'Many of the people living in the itinerants' camp were putting themselves at serious risk of being hit by a car as they crossed Roystonea Avenue,' said Mr Chandler.
'Many of the near-misses reported to me took place at night. The itinerants were placing themselves at serious risk and also endangering motorists and local residents.
'Earlier this week I raised the matter in Parliament because my letters to the Minister had failed to bring about any action.
'Late last night I visited the site and was gratified to see it has been cleared up.
'Thinking this was a win for the many residents in the area who have complained to me, it was disappointing this morning when I re-visited the site to find signs that people had returned to the make-shift camp.
'The chronic shortage of emergency housing in the Top End has led to this and other similar camps springing up around Darwin and Palmerston.
'These camps are totally unacceptable, are potentially dangerous to itinerants and residents and have no basic services.
'While it appears Government may have taken some action, it's clear long term solutions are required to overcome the chronic homelessness.'
2009-10-21
