Melbourne mayor calls for end of ‘misguided’ donations to city’s homeless people

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has again called on well-meaning people to stop giving tents, blankets and bedding to homeless people in the city.

Homeless people are increasingly setting up camp in the city’s public toilet blocks despite alternative accommodation being available.

Cr Doyle said people donating goods are simply entrenching homelessness. 

‘We are picking up a truckload a week of this stuff, because homeless people don’t want it,’ he said.

Click PLAY below to see Robert Doyle in studio with Neil Mitchell

Cr Doyle said the council was ‘coming to the end of their patience’ with Jackie Chan the ram and his owner in the Treasury Gardens, who could be a ‘difficult’ character.

‘The ram has actually proven to be quite dangerous,’ he said.

‘We have to take it carefully, but in the end public safety comes first.’

He said he would investigate reports the ram was running loose on Collins Street, and they were working with the owner and service providers to come to a resolution.

Click PLAY to hear the full discussion on 3AW Mornings