Youth house‘discrimination’

By Bridget Brady
A CASEY councillor has described her colleague’s security suggestions for a proposal in Berwick to house youths as “just plain discrimination”.
Springfield Ward councillor Sam Aziz on Tuesday night requested the council wrote to the Minister for Housing Richard Wynne to provide perimeter fencing, 24-hour supervision and the installation of security cameras on the site proposed to house several youths undertaking employment and education training.
Nearby Bellevue Drive residents have been extremely vocal in their objections to the project by the Department of Human Services and the WAYSS organisation.
But River Gum Ward councillor Lynette Keleher said she was “horrified” by the suggestion.
“These people need a chance. This is just plaindiscrimination,” Cr Keleher said.
“We have to put them somewhere … I can’t believe 500 people signed this petition.”
Cr Aziz said the recommendations in his notice of motion to provide the supervision and security necessary for the young people he believed would be aged between 15 and 21.
“These are young people in distress. It won’t look like Pentridge.”
Cr Aziz said the residents did not oppose there was a need to house these young people, but said limited consultation had occurred with residents who were “innocent victims”.
Mayfield Ward councillor Kevin Bradford said he also had concerns about the notice of motion Cr Aziz presented.
“They need a place to stay. What sort of community would we be if we said sorry, we’ve got no homes for you?”
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith supported the motion, and said the idea to have children as young as 15 without 24-hour supervision was “outrageous”.
“Would I want it in my backyard? I certainly wouldn’t.”
The motion was passed.