Public Space Liaison Officer
The City recognises and adheres to the NSW State Government Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places. The Protocol acknowledges the equal rights of all members of the community to access public spaces without discrimination. The City promotes shared responsibility around the use of public space and encourages the recognition that whilst all groups have the right to access and/or enjoy the use of public space they have an equal responsibility to use that space responsibly and to acknowledge the rights of all within that space regardless of their social circumstances.
The City acknowledges that there is often tension within the shared use of public space between local residents, businesses, visitors and vulnerable people who live in public space (rough sleepers) and/or who engage in activities that might in some instances be classified as anti-social behaviour.
The primary role of the Public Space Liaison Officer (PSLO) is to broker responses to the impacts of homelessness within the public domain and to ensure that people experiencing homelessness have access to support services. The PSLO liaises between rough sleepers and street drinkers, City Business Units, homelessness service providers, other statutory bodies such as the Police and RailCorp and with local residents and businesses to coordinate responses when issues or conflict between groups arise.
The PSLO maintains close and collaborative relationships with people who live in the public domain to negotiate responsible behaviour and ensure they are linked to support services.
The PSLO and other City staff regularly consult with rough sleepers on policy and actions that will impact upon them and actively encourage them to contact city staff with any concerns they have regarding their interactions with council staff or other external stakeholders. Through this process, rough sleepers are actively given the opportunity to participate in discussion and negotiation around decisions and actions that have a direct impact upon them and also given the opportunity to play a role in negotiating outcomes and finding solutions.
Specifically the PSLO will:
- Ensure a compassionate and respectful response to issues relating to street drinkers and rough sleepers and other vulnerable people in the public domain
- Utilise an engagement before enforcement approach; the role of the PSLO is not to regulate or enforce. Where such a response is necessary (such as where illegal activity is occurring or where behaviours are placing persons at risk) the PSLO’s role is to involve appropriate regulatory bodies such as Council Rangers, the Police or Crisis Teams
- Act quickly to respond to issues that are raised by business owners, residents, city staff and other stakeholders (e.g. police) relating to the impacts of homelessness in the public domain and to ensure that any responses made are implemented in consultation with all groups including rough sleepers and other vulnerable groups effected
- Ensure that responses are coordinated between relevant areas of council and external stakeholders
- Enable early identification of issues relating to the use of public space by the homeless and street drinkers with a view to ‘prevention rather than reaction’
- Enable a two-way exchange of information between public space users and other stakeholders to promote responsible use of public space and foster an environment of inclusivity and participation in the decision making process
- Provide rough sleepers and other vulnerable people in the public domain with the opportunity to provide feedback to and voice any concerns they have, directly with council staff.
Download
- Protocol for Homeless People Fact Sheet | PDF 1.0Mb
More Information
If you have any concerns regarding homelessness and public space within the local government area please contact the PLSO through 02 9265 9333.
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