Five people have been arrested and will be charged after authorities moved on a homeless camp outside Melbourne's CBD on Wednesday.
About 20 people have been sleeping rough outside Flinders Street station, and after weeks of discussions a protest broke out when authorities attempted to move the homeless group on at 10:30am.
Victoria Police were moving them on for construction to take place at the station, offering short term housing with organisations such as the Salvation Army.
Victoria Police Acting Commander Stuart Bateson told media four protesters were arrested along with one "rough sleeper".
"Unfortunately for us, we had protesters come in behind... We haven't solved a homeless issue today," Bateson said on Tuesday afternoon in a press conference.
"This is essential work on Flinders street station... what we've solved today is a safe work place issue."
@VictoriaPolice moving on homeless people on Flinders St @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/lU1wGf9fPK
— Therese Allaoui (@tajournalist) February 1, 2017
The protesters who "came in behind" the homeless group caused "significant police resources", with 75 police attending the scene.
"I've got to tell you, Victoria police would rather be doing something else," Bateson said.
Rough sleepers have been offered 3 nights accomodation at a motor inn in northern suburbs- union unhappy no permanent option #flindersst pic.twitter.com/lzKlqcECQM
— ABC Radio Melbourne (@abcmelbourne) February 1, 2017
Group now chanting "homelessness is not illegal" #Flindersst - police yet to move in pic.twitter.com/6CyOzS2VMp
— ABC Radio Melbourne (@abcmelbourne) February 1, 2017
Earlier, Housing Minister Martin Foley said 15 people from the camp had been "successfully housed" while four others had been placed in drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation facilities.
Homeless man Glen packing up to leave being surrounded by onlookers and cameras pic.twitter.com/ZuYZHURfSY
— Aisha Dow (@aishamae) February 1, 2017
"This camp will have to break up today. That site later today will be a building site," he told The Age on Tuesday.
The Victorian government last week announced a $10 million plan to provide transitional housing over a two year period.
On Monday police arrested a woman after she allegedly attacked a police officer at the homeless camp.
Residents of the makeshift homeless camp outside Flinders Street station predicting violence when authorities move in to evict them. #9News pic.twitter.com/ZVFlUcmTe0
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) January 31, 2017
Residents of the makeshift homeless camp outside Flinders Street station predicting violence when authorities move in to evict them. #9News pic.twitter.com/ZVFlUcmTe0
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) January 31, 2017
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