Residents of Shoalwater and the wider Rockingham community are calling for urgent action to resolve the long-term encampment along Memorial Drive and prevent unmanaged camping from spreading into nearby residential streets, including Boundary Road and Lease Road.

For months, residents have raised concerns with elected representatives and authorities about worsening conditions in the area. Despite this, the encampment remains and many locals feel the situation is becoming more established rather than being resolved.

This is not the concern of one resident or one household. Families, elderly residents, local businesses and people who regularly use the Shoalwater foreshore are increasingly worried about public safety, sanitation, environmental damage and the loss of amenity in our neighbourhood.

Residents have reported concerns including theft and property trespass, vehicle tampering, intimidating or abusive behaviour, public disturbances, people looking into homes and yards, increasing rubbish and waste, and surrounding bushland being used as a toilet.

Some residents have changed where or when they walk because they no longer feel as safe as they once did.

Memorial Drive and the Shoalwater foreshore are valued public spaces. They should remain safe, clean and accessible for residents, families and visitors.

We recognise that homelessness is complex and that many people are experiencing genuine hardship. People in need deserve access to appropriate accommodation, support and services.

But allowing people to live indefinitely in caravans, vehicles and makeshift camps along public roads and beside residential homes is not a genuine housing solution.

Compassion for people experiencing homelessness and protecting the safety and wellbeing of the wider community are not mutually exclusive.

People who need help deserve appropriate support, and residents deserve to feel safe in their homes and neighbourhood.

Residents have repeatedly asked what is being done and when the situation will be resolved. There were also community expectations that action would be taken by the end of July, yet that timeframe has passed and the problem remains.

The community now deserves a clear plan, a clear timeframe and clear accountability.

We are calling on the WA Government, City of Rockingham, WA Police and relevant agencies to work together to:

-Implement an immediate plan to resolve the long-term Memorial Drive encampment and prevent it from spreading into surrounding residential streets.
-Provide appropriate accommodation, housing assistance and support services for people genuinely experiencing homelessness.
-Increase appropriate police and ranger presence and respond to reports of theft, trespass, intimidation, vandalism and antisocial behaviour.
-Enforce applicable parking, camping, public safety and environmental requirements.
-Address rubbish, sanitation, human waste and environmental damage and rehabilitate affected public areas.
-Provide residents with a clear public timeframe, identify which authorities are responsible, and meet directly with affected residents.
-We do not want this problem simply moved a few streets away.

We want a genuine and lasting solution.

Residents have been patient. We have written to representatives, raised concerns and waited for action.

Meanwhile, many in our community feel the situation has continued to deteriorate.

Enough is enough.

Memorial Drive and the residential streets of Shoalwater should not become a permanent substitute for appropriate housing and homelessness services.

We are asking our elected representatives and relevant authorities to work together, take responsibility and deliver a proper solution that supports those who genuinely need help while restoring safety, cleanliness and confidence in our community.

Please sign this petition if you believe it is time to resolve the Memorial Drive encampment, prevent unmanaged camping from spreading through Shoalwater, and restore the area for the whole community.