Antisocial Behaviour
This topic captures a significant volume of community concern, particularly around the CBD, the Esplanade Reserve, and the train station precinct. Reports centre on public intoxication, aggressive begging, and overnight camps in public spaces. The tone varies from empathetic (recognising homelessness and mental health as root causes) to frustrated (demanding enforcement action). Fremantle Community Services and Shelter WA have contributed constructive reframes. The City's officer response focuses on the existing Safe City program. The key unanswered question: will the City increase dedicated outreach worker hours in the CBD?
City Response
The City's Safe City program currently funds two dedicated outreach workers operating in the CBD and Esplanade Reserve precinct. Officers work alongside St Vincent de Paul and Fremantle Community Services on case management for known individuals. Ranger patrols have been increased on Friday and Saturday nights. We're also reviewing the CCTV network coverage with a report to Council in May 2026.
Elected Representative
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Housing First coordinator role: 12 people to stable housing in 12 months
Fund a dedicated Housing First coordination role within City of Fremantle, working with Shelter WA, Fremantle Community Services, and WA Dept of Communities. The goal: fast-track 12 people from rough sleeping to stable housing within 12 months, with wrap-around support. Enforcement without housing solutions just moves the problem — it doesn't solve it.
Proposals (3)
Extend drop-in centre to 7 days/week with Friday/Saturday evening hours
Extend the Fremantle Community Services drop-in centre hours to 7 days per week, including a late-night option on Fridays and Saturdays. Currently it's only open 5 days a week until 4pm — meaning the highest-risk periods (Friday/Saturday evenings) have no accessible support.
Expanded CCTV with real-time police monitoring in CBD/Esplanade
Increase CCTV coverage in the Kings Square and Esplanade Reserve area, and implement a real-time monitoring protocol with WA Police. A reviewed camera positioning plan should be made public so residents know what's covered.
Comments (8)
Has anyone spoken to the people who are rough sleeping? I chatted with someone outside the library last week — he'd been on the housing wait list for 2 years. The system is failing, not the person.
It's important to separate 'antisocial behaviour' from 'homelessness'. Most people sleeping rough in Fremantle are not behaving antisocially — they have nowhere else to be. The framing matters for the solutions we pursue.
We support 18 rough sleepers in Fremantle who have chronic mental health and/or substance use issues. They need coordinated health intervention, not enforcement. The two outreach workers funded by the City are doing excellent work but they're stretched thin.
I feel unsafe walking through Kings Square after dark. It's not about the people themselves — it's the unpredictability. More lighting, more presence (rangers or outreach workers), would help.
The Housing First proposal from Shelter WA is exactly the kind of evidence-based approach we should be pursuing. I'll be raising this at the April Council meeting and asking officers to develop a budget position.
I understand the root cause argument but residents also have a right to use public spaces without intimidation. These goals aren't mutually exclusive — we need both outreach and enforcement.
Business owners on Market Street have reported a 15% drop in daytime foot traffic this year, partly attributed to customer-reported perceptions of safety near the station. This is a real economic impact. Both outreach and visible presence matter.
The Department of Communities currently funds 6 social housing allocations in Fremantle per quarter. We are aware of the rough sleeping numbers and are working with community housing providers on rapid rehousing pathways. More details at communities.wa.gov.au.