Fremantle Council Debates Homelessness Powers Amid Safety Concerns
The City of Fremantle is facing mounting pressure to address community safety issues linked to rising homelessness rates, with a controversial proposal to grant city officers authority to move individuals from public areas. The debate emerged during council meetings in February 2026, highlighting deep divisions over how to manage the city's homelessness crisis while protecting vulnerable residents.
Volunteer Calls for Action and Authority
Orange Sky volunteer Andrew Luobikis presented a motion at the February 2 council meeting, urging the city to take a more holistic approach to Fremantle's homelessness situation. His proposal included empowering city rangers and community safety officers with the ability to move people on from public spaces, alongside requesting additional State Government support for relocating homeless individuals to appropriate mental health facilities.
"Having volunteered on Beach Street for several years with Orange Sky and Homeless Run Food Service, we have seen regular incidents of mental psychosis causing violent outbursts against our volunteers," Mr Luobikis told council members. "Homeless friends have spoken about the fact that their drug and alcohol problems prohibited them from accessing services, such as St Patrick's for legitimate reasons of safety."
Mr Luobikis emphasized that Fremantle lacks the expertise to adequately address the complex mental health needs of those experiencing homelessness, arguing that only state-run facilities possess the necessary resources. "Nothing in the form of regular tiny or group housing would be appropriate," he stated, advocating for more comprehensive solutions.
Community Opposition and Alternative Views
Not all residents supported Mr Luobikis's motion, with several expressing concerns about its potential impact on vulnerable populations. Fremantle local Evalena Lowe criticized the proposal for failing to consider the diverse needs of homeless individuals.
"Not every homeless person has mental health issues," Ms Lowe pointed out. "Where do you plan on moving them on to? If we're giving this authority to our community safety officers and rangers to move them along, where is your plan to push them to?"
2026 Fremantle Community Citizen of the Year Freya Cheffers suggested alternative approaches, including investing in additional community centers to support existing services like St Patrick's. "We need a community centre to take the load off St Pat's, somewhere very central in Fremantle. Somewhere the 'streeties' actually enjoy going, rather than being ushered over," she explained.
Council Deliberations and Official Responses
The City of Fremantle discussed the motion at its February 25 ordinary council meeting, where councillors expressed mixed reactions. Cr Fedele Camarda acknowledged the motion's intent as "admirable" but noted that current systems remain restrictive.
"There are a lot of great people in our community who do great work and I feel like they're often hitting their head against a brick wall," Cr Camarda said. "How do we work with higher levels of government and various outreach organisations to achieve genuine change that deals with all the aspects of homelessness via a bipartisan approach?"
Cr Jemima Williamson-Wong argued that the motion oversimplified the issue, highlighting practical limitations. "It's not as easy as motion five suggests, in terms of being able to relocate people to mental health facilities," she stated. "There are not enough mental health facilities in Perth that would accommodate, and it's not up to us to just put people in places they're not going to respond well to."
Cr Williamson-Wong referenced ongoing developments, including St Patrick's construction of a new engagement hub for homeless individuals, scheduled to open by year's end. She emphasized that such services address root causes rather than offering quick fixes.
Mayoral Perspective and Future Plans
Fremantle Mayor Ben Lawver expressed caution about the proposed measures, noting the limitations of local government authority. "Motion five proposes a quick solution that is very unrealistic. As a local government, we don't have the power or authority to move people on," Mayor Lawver stated. "It's a bit dangerous, because folks that have maybe felt not entirely safe see that as a quick solution and a potential one."
The City of Fremantle is set to consider its upcoming community safety and crime prevention plan later this year. This plan will focus on:
- Implementing community safety initiatives
- Strengthening partnerships with outreach providers
- Advocating for improved mental health support services
As Fremantle grapples with balancing public safety concerns with compassionate support for homeless residents, the debate underscores the need for collaborative, long-term strategies involving multiple levels of government and community organizations.
