Amid cries of "shame" Melbourne City councillors voted five against four to broaden the definition of camping in the CBD in a move some say will push homeless people away from support services.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the by-law was aimed at addressing Melbourne’s rising homelessness, which is up 74 per cent over the past two years, and give council officers and police more capacity to intervene.
“We need the ability, to remove these major impediments in the city streets, whether it's bedding or furniture, or tents or anything,” he said.
Cr Doyle said removal of such items could be done now, but only if those items were abandoned.
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“The public space is exactly that - it is the public space," he said.
"It is for the use of all…this is about obstruction to the public realm."
The council has called it assertive outreach, but critics told SBS News they believe it’s simply a ban on sleeping rough.
But principal lawyer at Justice Connect, Lucy Adams, said the definition of “camping” was too broad.
“There is a really real risk attached to laws that are this broad, that it will push people to the outskirts of the city, they'll become isolated from services, and caught up in the justice system,” she said.
Ms Adams praised the Melbourne City Council’s efforts in curbing homelessness and providing services, but believed the by-law would undo it all.
“The proposed amendments imply that law enforcement has a role to play in an effective response to homelessness," she said.
"And we know that isn’t the case. We do need an investment in housing. In Utah, in the United States, they’ve reduced rough sleeping by 91 per cent.”
She said 33,000 Victorians were currently on the waiting list for public housing.
One of those people likely to be affected by the new law is Adam, 33.
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He has been battling homelessness for about 10 years, shifting between friends' homes and the street.
“These last 12 months have been a bit more real and a bit more rough, actually being on the street the whole time,” he told SBS News.
He said drug abuse led to mental illness and homelessness and he comes into the city to access services.
“I’d say in the community breakfast I attend, there’d be at least 30 to 40 there every morning that do sleep rough like I have been and do tend to do,” he said.
Kate Colvin from the Council to Homeless Persons said housing with support, is the best solution to tackle homelessness.
“Whilst lockers or drop in centres might provide some temporary relief, really what people want is to not be homeless anymore, and we can't achieve that without housing,” she said.
Adam agreed, saying he would prefer public housing to the council's new law.
“You're talking about taking away everything we own, all of our possessions, and just throwing them out,” he said.
Over the next 28 days, the change to the local law will be open to public submissions.
Once considered, recommendations will be made and a final council decision is expected in May.
