BICTON MLA Lisa O’Malley has told any new Cottesloe MP how to deal with claimed crime and anti-social behaviour in State Government-run flats in Wellington Street, Mosman Park.
“They need to be that link between the affected residents of the street, those in the block, the police and the council,” Ms O’Malley said.
Before the 2017 State Election, voters’ complaints about Department of Communities (DoC) flats near the Swan River in East Fremantle promoted a State Parliament grievance motion that said a majority of police call outs in the riverside suburb were linked to the block.
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READ NOWThe DoC subsequently intensively managed the block, the Town of East Fremantle took an active role and improvements including removal of rubbish and a refurbishment were funded earlier this year.
On March 17, Cottesloe voters select a replacement for retired former premier Colin Barnett, who took up the cause of residents affected by allegedly recurring anti-social behaviour and a crime wave that culminated in a 12-hour incident in Thompson Street, North Fremantle in June last year.
Ms O’Malley said Mr Barnett’s replacement had to work with the community to solve issues at DoC accommodation.
Despite several police crackdowns in the past two years, repeated anti-social and petty crime still allegedly originates from some flats in Wellington Street, Mosman Park.
WA Party candidate and former Mosman Park mayor Ron Norris dealt with the DoC until the end of last year.
“This requires a long-term strategy which requires the Department of Communities to choose tenants who are suitable and appropriate for the character of this area,” Mr Norris said
“There are many department tenants who have lived in the area for decades and have not caused any problems, so it can be done.”
Liberal candidate David Honey said he would familiarise himself with the Mosman Park situation, “engage” with residents and, if elected, work to ensure flats’ residents were part of the community and not in isolated “enclaves”.
Greens candidate Greg Boland said policing and justice had to be dealt with by the courts, methamphetamine addiction addressed and Cottesloe police station maintained.
Last week, Mosman Park Mayor Brett Pollock met the DoC about the flats, but he could not be contacted this morning.
– Candidates’ forum, Cottesloe Civic Centre, Broome Street, Cottesloe, 7am, March 7.
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