Unwanted neighbours evicted from Carlisle

By Patrick Heenan, 3 May 2011

Neighbours pleas for help were finally answered after tenants at a Homes West property in Carlisle were evicted last week for antisocial behaviour.Local media reports state that time and time again, neighbours of unruly Homeswest tenants have had their calls go unanswered.

In an attempt to answer neighbours' pleas, the Minister for Housing, Troy Buswell, has strengthened policies targeting anti-social behaviour by Homeswest tenants.

This comes following the explosion of a clandestine drug lab on March 20 at a Homes West property in Carlisle.

Neighbour to the Carlisle property, Stacee Parkinson, made multiple complaints to police and  to State Housing over the last three years with no follow up from either department.

“I felt like a whinger every time I contacted the Department of Housing.”

“Regardless of the amount of times I called, I was continually fobbed off,” she said.

Prior to the explosion, Ms Parkinson’s father had gone to ask the tenants at the Homes West property to turn down their music, only to be threatened with a .22 rifle.

Homes West tenants killed the son of James Richardson of Melville three and a half years ago in Yangebup.

Mr Richardson is skeptical the new policies will make a difference.

“At the moment it appears that action only takes place when someone is killed or is seriously injured,” he said.

The policies outlined by Mr Buswell include immediate eviction for violence towards neighbours, one warning for vandalism with re-offences within twelve months meaning eviction and three strikes for minor incidences, including noise.

Mr Buswell has made observations that the old system and policies were not effective and that they had not been consistently applied.

“Under the renewed policies, there will be a big jump in the amount of evictions and much sooner,” said Mr Buswell.

Department spokesman Greg Cash said his department is working on implementation of the new measures announced by the Minister.

“The strategy seeks to safeguard the community. Stronger action is taken for repeated instances, including eviction of tenants,” said Mr Cash.

“Mr Buswell is doing a lot of talking and not following through on his policies,” said shadow housing minister, Mark McGowan.

Mr McGowan said he would work closely with tenants before bad behaviour gets out of hand and he remains skeptical the new policies will work.

“Any improvement as a result of this policy is yet to be seen,” Mr McGowan said.