Locals have raised concerns about a high-pitched noise device being used to deter rough sleepers at the Brimbank multi-deck car park on George Street, near Sunshine Leisure Centre.
Brimbank resident Sam O’Reilly described the sound as a pulsating, high-pitched siren and said it was a form of hostile design.
“Rather than addressing the issues, it’s just pushing people to the next spot,” Mr O’Reilly said.
“That location can mean shelter in bad weather. Nobody wants to sleep rough.”
He also raised concerns about possible health impacts, particularly for residents who live and work in the area.
“We take my son to swimming lessons each week and you can hear it from a few hundred metres away,” he said.
“I can’t believe it was allowed in the first place.”
Director of community mental health and homelessness at cohealth Brett Murphy said the use of the noise device was “a disappointing and shortsighted misstep” by council.
He said the measure was “counter to the many positive initiatives that the Brimbank City Council has introduced to address the needs of the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in Brimbank.“
“In addition to the negative health impacts for people subjected to the noise, it also further stigmatises homelessness by inhumanely moving people on.”
He said cohealth and its service partners remain committed to working with council and the community on responses that address housing, social, health and safety needs in Brimbank without adding further distress.
A Brimbank council spokesperson said the device installed in the car park was a protective measure designed to keep critical pathways clear and safe during emergencies.
“Council is required, under Victoria’s Building Act 1993 and Victorian Building Regulations, to fulfil its duty of care and protect people from danger by ensuring that emergency exits in all public facilities remain clear and functional at all times,” the spokesperson said.
Council said the system currently emits a constant low-level hum, and that adjustments are underway so that it will activate only when triggered by movement in the fire stairs to reduce the fire safety risk.
The spokesperson acknowledged community feedback about the volume of the noise and said sound levels had been reduced and would be monitored.
“Our priority is to work with other levels of government and community organisations to ensure everyone in our community has access to safe, dignified housing rather than seeking shelter in high-risk environments,” the spokesperson said.
