Mission creep: can Dubbo help our destitute?

Australians used to shake their heads in disbelief after visiting major American cities and witnessing the social shame of large numbers of homeless people "sleeping rough" on the streets of the world's wealthiest nation.

No more. Even larger regional centres like Wagga Wagga, Orange, and now Dubbo have seen increasing public problems with life's battlers living on the streets or in homeless encampments by riverbanks.

Dubbo Regional Council is so worried by the issue that it is reviewing, after only a year in operation, its Homeless People in Public Places Management Policy.

In discussing the vexing issue, Mayor Josh Black admitted to Dubbo Photo News that the problem in the Orana region has increased "heaps" in recent times.

"The policy that we endorsed is coming up for 12 months, we're going to see how well it is operating," Cr Black said.

"In the end, the best place for people experiencing homelessness is in proper accommodation, and not on the riverbanks," he added.

The review shows not just how increasingly concerned council is with the problem, but also the range of social issues that are now seen as the provenance of local government, despite real declines in the income of the third tier of government and its ability to fund social welfare programs.

"Those living permanently down by the river are there illegally, but we don't have the power or authority to do anything," Cr Black said.

"We're also not actually funded for providing homelessness services to those who need it," he concluded.

The problem, former mayor Cr Mathew Dickerson believes, is intermittent rather than increasing, with council in fact having some residual power over illegal encampments.

"It does come and go, it's a little camp by the Macquarie River with maybe a dozen people living there," Cr Dickerson said.

"When I was mayor, we went in and cleaned the whole area out and removed a whole pile of stuff," he revealed.

He said the problem, though, requires more than just cleaning crews and the removal of rubbish that seems to accrue at these sites in increasing volume.

"We have to look at it holistically — what's there now and what we can do about it. In the end it's not just economics; for many of these people, it's kind of a lifestyle choice."

The review, council was told, will include comprehensive consultation with relevant local specialist services, non-government organisations, local business and community stakeholder groups, as well as other local government areas managing homelessness along their river corridors such as Wagga Wagga and Albury City Councils.

"People come to council now with these problems because local government, they feel, is accessible, as opposed to a government department where you get an answering service or a recorded message," Cr Dickerson observed.

"But we don't actually control or have the resources to do anything effectively to overcome this problem," he concluded.

The review, councillors heard, will also examine the current Homelessness Policy, speaking with external stakeholders to assess its operational efficacy, community impact, and alignment with best-practice and trauma-informed methodologies.

Fine-sounding principles, one councillor suggested, but what impact is it likely to make, he wondered.

"In the end, we cannot force people to move from one place to another, it's not in our power," Cr Shibli Chowdhury said.

"It's largely a mental health issue. Dubbo is at the end of the line, and what we've seen is people hop on the train, and we're the last destination, so this is where they end up," he concluded.

Wellington local Cr Richard Ivey believes not only is there less stigma attached to sleeping rough than in the past, but it's also more practical.

"I definitely think it's more prevalent — it's more possible to sleep outside now with so many services to provide a meal and support," Cr Ivey argued.

"It's not just that there are more people, there are also more charities to provide help, and it's simply easier to exist than it was in the past," he added.

He believes the call for council to do more about the problem is part of the increasing "government should do something" attitude many have to any seemingly unsolvable issue.

"It's not just councils — more and more people in society are saying 'someone else has to look after us', it's everywhere," Cr Ivey observed.

"That is why they now say, 'council should do something', it's part of the same trend, I think," he concluded.

Another Wellington councillor, Adam Ryan, said the issue of individuals sleeping rough in egregious poverty is a nationwide problem, not just restricted to certain areas or communities.

"I'm born and bred in Wellington, and I have never seen it as bad as it is now," Cr Ryan said.

"I think it's basically a cost-of-living issue; people can't afford accommodation and therefore do what they can, and it affects every Australian community across the land," he concluded.

If you or someone you know needs support, please call: Lifeline 131114, lifeline.org.au; or Beyond Blue 1300 224636, beyondblue.org.au/forums.

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Money for something: pilot scheme to help local traders

On an issue that Dubbo Regional Council can definitely do something about, Dubbo recently launched its inaugural Small Business Grant Program.

The pilot scheme aims to help boost economic growth and development within the region, with local enterprises eligible to apply for a grant of up to $5000 for a range of improvements, ideas and projects.

Some examples could include business frontage improvements, improved lighting, shopfront landscaping, or activities that boost the night-time economy, Mayor Black said.

"This program is about backing small businesses to invest in projects and improvements that support the growth of our small business community," Cr Black enthused.

"We are looking forward to seeing if this pilot grant program can help facilitate economic growth and development, which will be evaluated after the pilot round of the program," he concluded.

Applications must be made via SmartyGrants and will not be accepted via paper or email, with applications closing at 9am on Monday, September 14.

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Branch revival with call for return of golden age of rail

Following a recent suggestion from Deputy Mayor Phillip Toynton, Dubbo Regional Council is to write to NSW government ministers seeking funding for the proposed reopening of the shuttered Wallerawang to Gwabegar railway line.

The aim of the reopening proposal is to alleviate transport pressure from the current closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.

Further support for the reopening of the line, Mayor Josh Black said, will be sought from the Alliance of Western Councils and the Country Mayors Association NSW.

The 432-kilometre branch line snakes northwards through the Central Tablelands, Mid-Western, and North-West Slopes before terminating at Gwabegar, north-east of Coonamble, with the last section closing in 2005.