Perth Council Under Fire for “Hostile Architecture” Tactics Against Homeless
A Western Australian council is facing significant backlash from homelessness advocates and politicians after installing high-pitched noise devices in an attempt to deter rough sleepers from congregating near a cycle path. The City of Perth, in conjunction with the Public Transport Authority (PTA), placed speakers under the Lord Street overpass in East Perth that emitted shrill sounds continuously.
The area had been a site where individuals experiencing homelessness had been camping. However, after the erection of high fences, tents were relocated onto the adjacent cycle path, prompting the council’s controversial response.
The PTA has since switched off the offending devices following widespread questioning from advocates and political figures. A spokesperson for the PTA stated that they would be requesting the City of Perth to identify a more appropriate and humane solution going forward.
“Distraction” from Systemic Issues, Say Experts
Advocates argue that such tactics do not address the root causes of homelessness. Mark White, Chief Executive of Street Smart Australia, an organisation dedicated to assisting people experiencing homelessness, described the noise devices as a mere “distraction” from the genuine issues at play.
“When we design spaces that make people uncomfortable or unwelcome, it treats homelessness as though it’s a visibility issue, as opposed to a systemic policy failure or a challenge within society that many people are experiencing,” White explained. He stressed that resources would be far more effectively allocated towards connecting rough sleepers with essential support services and bolstering the funding for these vital programs.
“We know that the right outreach, the right level of early intervention, but also the right investment in housing infrastructure actually creates long-term systemic change, not this,” he continued. “We have these knee-jerk reactions because people aren’t listening.”
White strongly urged local councils to involve individuals with lived experience of homelessness in their decision-making processes. “To help understand why they may present in this area, how the right supports could help them transition to a safer, more dignified place for people experiencing homelessness,” he added.
“Utterly Diabolical” and “Government Failure”
Tim Clifford, the WA Greens democracy spokesman, condemned the devices as “utterly diabolical.” He characterised the use of such “hostile architecture,” including the audio deterrents deployed in East Perth, as a clear manifestation of government failure to adequately address the escalating housing crisis.
“This is not the first time a local government has taken this kind of action against rough sleepers, and I doubt it will be the last,” Clifford observed, highlighting a concerning pattern of behaviour.
City of Perth’s Rationale and Support Services
A spokesperson for the City of Perth defended the installation, asserting that the device was “not intended to target or deter people experiencing homeless” but was implemented to “improve the safe use of the space.” The council stated that it had collaborated with the PTA in response to persistent reports of antisocial and criminal behaviour, as well as community concerns regarding safety, particularly from cyclists using the bike path.
“We recognise this is a sensitive issue and remain committed to ensuring public spaces are safe and accessible for everyone,” the spokesperson added.
The council detailed that it has enhanced security patrols and deployed CCTV surveillance to bolster safety within the underpass. Furthermore, it highlighted its ongoing collaboration with relevant departments to facilitate access to support services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
“The city’s Accredited Homelessness Service site provides meals, clothes and access to a mobile laundry and showers,” the spokesperson outlined. “A street doctor and allied health services, as well as referrals to other services, are also available on site.”
Premier Condemns Action, Cites Past Incidents
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook distanced the state government from the decision, stating during a press conference that the installation of the speakers “did not go up the chain of authority.”
“Obviously, this is not what we do in Western Australia,” Cook remarked. “We try to avoid persecuting or making life uncomfortable for people who are homeless and already experiencing a great deal of discomfort.”
This incident is not an isolated case of Western Australian councils employing aggressive tactics to manage rough sleeping populations. In 2023, the City of Bunbury faced criticism for repeatedly playing The Wiggles’ song “Hot Potato” at high volume to disperse homeless individuals from a shelter area. Similarly, the King Street Arts Centre in Perth drew public condemnation in 2015 for activating a sprinkler system in a stairwell to prevent people from sleeping there.
