Western Australia’s homelessness minister has criticised “hostile” high-pitched noise devices installed to deter rough sleepers at an East Perth underpass.
The devices emit a constant high-pitched ringing and were installed at the Lord Street underpass by the Public Transport Authority (PTA) at the request of the City of Perth.
The deterrent speaker at the Lord Street underpass off Aberdeen Street emitted a high-pitched sound 24 hours a day. (ABC News: Jack Stevenson)
Homelessness Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the WA government did not endorse the move.
“I think people who are homeless need to be treated with dignity,” he said.
“We can work with the City [of Perth] to help them with their issues, but I don’t think those hostile, anti-person things are the kind of things we want in our city.
“We are happy to work with local government and the organisations that assist people with homelessness and I think that is a much better approach.”Â
Matthew Swinbourn says the WA government did not endorse the installation of the devices. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
A PTA spokesperson told the ABC the device had been switched off and the authority would work with the City of Perth to determine a “more suitable way forward”.
A City of Perth spokesperson said the devices were installed in response to “ongoing reports” of antisocial and criminal behaviour in the area. Â Â
They said the devices were not intended to target or deter people experiencing homelessness and that operational management was the responsibility of the PTA.
The Lord Street underpass was previously been used as a shelter by people experiencing homelessness. (ABC News: Jack Stevenson)
“The city’s focus remains on improving safety and amenity for all users of the area,” the spokesperson said.Â
“We recognise this is a sensitive issue and remain committed to balancing safety, accessibility and the respectful use of public spaces for everyone in the community.”
The Lord Street underpass is adjacent to several homelessness support organisations and had been a popular place to sleep and take shelter next to the train-line.Â
‘Sickening, persistent’ noiseÂ
Housing campaigner Jesse Noakes from independent media outlet The Last Place on Earth told ABC Radio Perth’s Nadia Mitsopoulos the sound was “visceral” and “sickening”.
“I’ve had a headache for the past couple of days because that sound is just so persistent and so irritating,” he said.
“Who thinks, honestly, that this is an appropriate response to homelessness in Perth rather than providing supports and housing to people who need it?”
A bike path runs below the Lord Street Underpass. (ABC News: Jack Stevenson)
Mr Noakes said cyclists and commuters had complained to him about the noise.
“I haven’t observed anyone staying there recently. There was no signs of that [camps] when I was down there,” he said.
“It really just seems to be a completely unnecessary added humiliation for anyone who is sleeping rough in the city.”
Tents at the Lord Street camp in East Perth in September 2020. (ABC News: Hugh Sando)
Thirty-seven-year-old Perth man Les (whose last name has been withheld) had slept in the area in the past and said the devices had prevented some people from setting up tents and sleeping bags under the bridge.Â
“[It won’t stop them] if they really need to go to sleep,” he said.
“But it is irritating to a certain extent.”Â
Anti-social behaviour, assaults reported
Housing Minister and Perth MLA John Carey said he was not aware of the installation of the devices but was aware of anti-social behaviour in the area.Â
“There has been significant concerns raised by the local community, including assaults on local residents,” he said.Â
“Clearly there is work to be done in improving the safety around the underpass.”
John Carey says he does not endorse the noise devices. (ABC News: Kenith Png)
However, Mr Carey said using a high-pitched sound device was not “appropriate”.
 “We don’t, as a government, endorse that kind of approach. There are other ways that you can improve community safety through design or lighting,” he said.Â