Resident complaints about the state of the grandstand at Windsor’s McQuade Park have prompted police to send out the message: if you see an offence being committed, report it then and there.
Concerned residents have taken to Facebook and contacted the Gazette to say the grandstand is being used as a toilet by the homeless people who stay there.
While many say they are sympathetic towards the homeless, they are also concerned they are losing what they consider to be a family facility.
The state of the grandstand and its occupation by several homeless people is deterring others from using it, says a long-term Windsor resident who uses the park for sporting purposes.
Located in the heart of Windsor, the grandstand is just metres away from a children’s playground, two primary schools, two churches and an oval used by various sporting teams.
A Council spokesperson said Council knew of two homeless men who live in the grandstand, but residents told the Gazette there were three.
A resident who lives near the park said there was ‘‘rubbish and urine everywhere’’, making the stand near impossible to sit in.
Another resident, from Glossodia, said she used the park for fitness training and said she had been hassled by the homeless men.
Some of the residents said they no longer took their children to the park to use the play equipment, as the area was becoming an “undesirable” place to visit.
A mother-of-two described the situation as ‘‘disgusting’.’
A friend of one of the homeless men said there was no problem with them staying, as long as they cleaned after themselves and were more mindful of the surrounding community.
Council parks and recreation manager Sean Perry said the grandstand was on Council’s cleaning program and was regularly cleaned.
‘‘The grandstand is cleaned with high-pressure equipment as required for spills and the like,’’ Mr Perry said.
‘‘In light of the comments received, arrangements have been made for the grandstand to be cleaned over the next week.’’
He also stated smoking was not permitted within 10 metres of sporting fields and playgrounds and this would apply to the grandstand area.
However he added that drinking alcohol was actually permitted in McQuade Park from 6pm to 6am.
Council director of city planning Matthew Owens said staff were aware of the homeless men living in the grandstand but weren’t able to move them on unless they were distressed, asked for assistance or caused harm to themselves or others.
He said homeless people should be left alone under Council’s homelessness policy and the state’s 2012 Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places.
The state government protocol entitles homeless people to be in public places while respecting the rights of local communities to live in a safe and peaceful environment; participate in public activities or events and carry with them their own belongings.
However, recent complaints suggest that locals have been harassed, yelled at and even chased, which contradicts the protocol.
Hawkesbury crime manager, Detective Inspector Paul McHugh said he encouraged any concerned residents to contact police immediately if they witnessed any offences being committed.
‘‘If residents just talk about it among themselves and not report anything, it makes it hard for us to act,’’ Detective Inspector McHugh said. ‘‘We have tasked various officers to proactively patrol the area and ask anyone to keep an eye out for offences in the act. It is one of the areas of focus at the command.’’
If you have concerns for the welfare of anyone who might be homeless, contact Windsor Police on 45874099.
