CLEAN UP OUR CBD

Chamber of commerce ‘screams’ for action over itinerants

THE city’s peak business body has blasted anti-social behaviour by itinerants and called for an end to “buck passing” and a “lack of commitment” by authorities.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Nick Loukas said business owners were “screaming” for a permanent solution to a chronic problem.

He is calling for the Return to Country initiative to be ramped up alongside a greater police presence in inner-city streets from “early evening onwards”.

“Solutions have to be built around assisting and helping the itinerants as well as those affected by their actions,” he said.

Cairns Police say the Return to Country initiative was never intended to be exclusively aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour.

Mr Loukas said long-term answers were needed.

“We applaud charities and support groups that provide food and a bed … unfortunately this is a short-term solution that at times compounds the situation into a cyclic problem.”

He said a designated co-ordinator was needed to oversee the Return to Country program, which helps itinerants return to their home communities.

“This initiative has fallen short for too long,” Mr Loukas said.

“Cairns City businesses are screaming for a permanent solution to the itinerant issue that continues to affect our city.

“Buck passing, bureaucracy and the lack of commitment from many segments of government and special interest groups must be resolved.”

But police say the initiative was never intended to exclusively address anti-social behaviour in the CBD.

“This police-introduced strategy is a voluntary program that requires the participant to satisfy a number of criteria prior to being supported to their home community,” said Senior Sergeant Gary Hunter, officer in charge for the Cairns City Police Beat.

“The program has provided assistance to 24 persons to return to their home communities in the past 12 months.”

Sen-Sgt Hunter said City Beat police were “well-positioned” to co-ordinate the Return to Country program, given their “local knowledge and relationships with government and non-government agencies in the homelessness space”.

“City Beat police have increased CBD patrols through the introduction of Operation Papa Transition, which specifically identifies and targets anti-social behaviour through high visibility bicycle patrols,” he said.

“Police continually use the technology of the CitySafe CCTV system to identify problem hot spots, but also encourage the community to report any displays of anti-social behaviour.”