Not much more than 150 metres from the Nowra Post Office, the South Coast Register and the office of Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis is poignant evidence of a social tragedy.
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In the corner of a vacant block adjacent to car park is a sad shelter fashioned from a beach umbrella and signs of occupation by a homeless person. Clothes hang from a tree, a swag and a collection of meagre possessions lies nearby.
Most people going about their business in the CBD would be unaware of this temporary home almost in their midst. It was noticed by Register staff members returning to their cars at the end of their shift.
We point this out to draw attention to the fact homelessness is not restricted to Nowra Showground, where this winter a tent city has emerged.
There has been a positive development in our campaign to help find shelter for these folks who have found themselves without homes.
On Wednesday, the department of Family and Community Services and representatives of a number of homelessness agencies visited the showground to offer help and referrals to the people camped there. This is exactly the type of outreach that was needed.
If they weren’t offered immediate shelter, the homeless people were at least pointed in the direction of help. Probably most importantly they were giving the dignity of being recognised by a government department that had stepped out of its office into their domain.
This kind of outreach is to be applauded, especially if it results in positive outcomes. We hope it becomes a regular occurrence.
We are also pinning hope on next week’s homelessness task force called by Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash. On Thursday, we contacted Kiama MP Gareth Ward and asked him to attend. This is important because if there are state government regulations that might hinder the opening of temporary shelters, he will be best placed to have them amended.
We know there is a groundswell to address this whole-of-community problem. We see it on social media whenever we post stories about homelessness. Even a story about the addition of beds at the South Coast Correctional Centre attracted comments about providing shelter for homeless people.
Our aim is to have shelters opened in times of foul weather to provide respite before winter returns next year.