FAQs

A Notice of Motion was raised at the July 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting requesting the Town of Victoria Park conduct an investigation into public lockers or alternative storage spaces in the Town. At the meeting, Council resolved:

That Council: 

1. Requests that the Chief Executive Officer investigates the provisions of public lockers, or alternative storage spaces, for people living with homelessness in the Town, including but not limited to the possible locations, costs and any security arrangements. 

2. Requests that the Chief Executive Officer presents a further report back to Council on the results of the investigation conducted, in line with point 1 above, by its September 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting.

You can read the Notice of Motion and minutes of the July 2020 OCM here.

On receipt of the Town of Victoria Park’s report at the September 2020 OCM, Council resolved:

That Council:

1. Notes the preliminary results of the initial investigation into the provision of public lockers, or alternative storage spaces, for people living with homelessness in the Town. 

2. Requests the Chief Executive Officer to conduct community consultation about installing public lockers or alternative storage spaces in the Town. 

3. Requests the Chief Executive Officer to present a report back to Council at the March 2021 Ordinary Council Meeting with findings of the community consultation.

You can read the Town's report on the Investigation of lockers for people living with homelessness and the minutes of the September 2020 OCM here.

Rough sleepers is the term used to describe people sleeping without shelter, in locations that are not designed for habitation. Rough sleeping is one of many forms of homelessness, and can be the most visible.

Rough sleepers are often required to carry their possessions throughout the day or leave them in public areas as they do not have access to secure housing or storage options. However, items are at risk of being removed or disposed of by property owners or passers-by if left in unsecure locations. Further to this, rough sleepers can be targeted for violence and theft if seen to be carrying large amounts or valuable items.

Accessible, free to use and secure lockers or storage services provide rough sleepers with an option to safely store their belongings for a set period of time.

Lockers assist in minimising the stress associated with living without a home, however, do not in isolation contribute to ending homelessness.

As a relatively new phenomenon, research is limited on the success of installing lockers in public areas. International experiences suggest that the most successful storage programs are operated by service providers which include an element of ‘checking in’ with users as a way of linking rough sleepers to pathways out of homelessness.

More recently, self-managed lockers installed by local governments in public areas have been trialled in locations in Europe, North America and in the City of Bunbury in Australia. However, no evidence base currently exists on the effectiveness of these stand-alone programs.

You can read the Town's report on the Investigation of lockers for people living with homelessness for further information here.

The Town undertook a desktop research and consulted with representatives from homelessness organisations, the WA Police and internal Town service areas during the preliminary investigation into the provision of lockers or alternative storage spaces for people experiencing homelessness in the Town.

Homelessness organisations consulted by the Town agreed that a range of locker sizes should be considered. All suggested that lockers should be large enough to store items including bags of clothing, sleeping bags and backpacks. However, that a number of smaller locker sizes should be considered for storing items such as medications.

Based on this advice, the Town investigated the cost of installing, maintaining and managing three two-tier large and one four-tier small heavy duty lockers with digital lock systems over a 12 month period. The cost came to approximately $50,000, however could be reduced if managed by an external service provider.

You can read the Town's report on the Investigation of lockers for people living with homelessness for further information here.

The Town undertook desktop research and consulted with representatives from homelessness organisations, the WA Police and internal Town service areas during the preliminary investigation into the provision of lockers or alternative storage spaces for people experiencing homelessness in the Town.

A range of location and security requirements were suggested by the internal and external groups consulted, including:

• Close proximity to existing services for rough sleepers 
• Close to public transport 
• Areas of good passive surveillance 
• Away from customer-facing businesses, discreetly located to combat potential shame 
• Close to public facilities such as toilets and showers 
• A high level of lighting 
• CCTV surveillance

Three potential locations were identified. However, some would require lighting and CCTV upgrades if progressed. The identified locations are:

• Outside of the Town of Victoria Park Library, 27 Sussex St, East Victoria Park - adjacent John Macmillan Park, East Victoria Park
• Outside of the Hubert Street Car Park Toilet Block, 55 Hubert St, East Victoria Park
• Outside of the Haven, 879 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park.

Residents, ratepayers and local businesses/organisations located within close proximity of these locations have been invited to take part in online and in person information sessions with Town staff.

You can read the Town's report on the Investigation of lockers for people living with homelessness for further information here.

The Town considered potential risks during the preliminary investigation into the provision of lockers or alternative storage spaces for people experiencing homelessness in the Town. A number of risks were identified by internal and external stakeholders including, but not limited to, the potential for:

• Increased rubbish and litter
• Vandalism
• High maintenance costs
• Increased anti-social behaviour, affecting both rough sleepers and the public
• The needs of rough sleepers not being addressed

Detailed scenario planning has not taken place as the Town is in an investigation stage only at this time.

You can read the Town's report on the Investigation of lockers for people living with homelessness for further information here.

A decision to progress the installation of public lockers or alternative storage spaces, or not, has not been made by Council at this time.

The Town is currently undertaking a two part investigation into the provision of public lockers or alternative storage spaces in the Town. The first part being a preliminary report into locker types, security arrangements, potential locations and costs, and the second part being consultation with the wider community.

The outcome of the community consultation will be presented in a report to Council at the March 2021 Ordinary Council Meeting. Council will then determine next steps.

The community is invited to learn more about public lockers and leave their feedback using the submission form. Alternatively, community members can complete a hardcopy feedback form available at the Town's Administration Building, Library and Leisurelife Centre.

Residents, ratepayers and local businesses/organisations located adjacent to the identified locations have also been invited via a mailed letter to take part in an online or in person information session.

Your feedback will be collated with the wider community’s feedback and presented in a report to Council at the March 2021 Ordinary Council Meeting. Council when then determine next steps. 

Community members who take part in the consultation will be kept informed of Council’s decision.

This event has been cancelled.

Yes minutes from the information sessions will be made available to the public.

The Town received four (4) registrations to attend the information sessions. Due to low numbers this has now been cancelled and all four registrants will be contacted and offered alternative opportunities to ask questions.