Unite to find fix on itinerants

IT IS disappointing to hear an organisation like the Girl Guides is being affected by the behaviour of itinerants, who are becoming an increasing problem in the Aitkenvale area.

The Townsville Bulletin reported last month that itinerants and problem youths were becoming an issue in the Aitkenvale business district.

Now the Girl Guides of the Aitkenvale District have confirmed they have stopped using the clubhouse at Aitkenvale Park over concerns for the welfare of members.

Girl Guides Queensland said the decision was made following a series of incidents that raised safety concerns, as well as the mess being made by itinerants in the clubhouse’s vicinity.

A Townsville City Council decision to move a mobile closed-circuit television camera into the area had helped alleviate some of the problems, however it was not enough for the organisation to be able to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of its members.

Following the Bulletin’s reports on the wider Aitkenvale problem, Mayor Jenny Hill met with Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni during State Parliament’s visit to Townsville last week.

While details of that meeting have not been made public, Cr Hill said work was being done to come up with a solution to the problem.

This includes further discussions with relevant agencies, some of which have been criticised by Cr Hill, who said their activities were not helping.

In the meantime, the Girl Guides are homeless until their clubhouse and its surrounds are made safer and cleaner.

Finding a solution that does not involve simply moving the problem to another area will be difficult.

However, the council, the relevant agencies, and affected businesses and landowners need to work together to come up with a solution as it will only get worse if it continues to be left unattended.