❓ A Member of Parliament questions the Minister for Housing regarding ongoing anti-social behaviour emanating from a Department of Housing property in Stratton, and the Department's response to the situation. The Minister acknowledges the issue and outlines actions taken under the Disruptive Behaviour Management Strategy.
AnsweredQoN 276Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of the ongoing anti-social behavior that is emanating from the Department's property in Gelderland Entrance Stratton and the upheaval it is creating for both the communities of Stratton and Jane Brook? (2) Will the Minister advise what the Department of Housing is doing to rectify this ongoing, serious and potentially dangerous situation? (3) Will the Minister explain how the Department has failed to find a case against these tenants when there have been numerous police reports and Department of Housing reports over an extended period of time made with relation to this residence, and if not, why not? (4) Can the Minister explain why, in a letter that I received from the Director General, I was informed that the complaints lodged with the Department with regard to this residence were not reported to the police although the police state that these incidents were reported to them, and further, that the Police advise that the tenants are well known to police? (5) Can the Minister tell me how long the people living on Gelderland Entrance and the wider community of Stratton can expect to wait before the Government implements immediate and decisive action to restore peace and sanity to the neighbourhood, and if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 June 2013
Responded by
Minister for Housing
Response time
33 days
The Department of Housing advises
(1) Yes
(2) The Department manages all tenancies in line with the
Residential Tenancies Act 1987
. This tenancy is of serious concern. The Department is taking action under the Disruptive Behaviour Management Strategy. A first strike was issued on 17 April 2013 for substantiated incidents of excessive noise from vehicles, verbal abuse and threatening behaviour. The tenant's admission was used to substantiate the complaints. There was no supporting evidence from WA Police or independent witnesses that verified the incidents. Although there were a number of incidents they do not represent separate strikes as under the
Residential Tenancies Act 1987
the Department must provide the tenant with the opportunity to rectify the behaviour.
(3) The Department can only act on information that is available during the investigation process. The Department is continuing discussions with WA Police. The Department acknowledges that the length of time between the complaint in February and the issuing of the strike in April was extensive however the Department has ensured that appropriate evidence is available if the matter proceeds to court and that procedural fairness was afforded to the tenant. Further incidents occurred on 2 May 2013 which involved trespassing, property damage, verbal abuse and threatening behaviour resulting in WA Police attendance. The Department is investigating the matter, including investigations with WA Police. The incident related to the removal of a CCTV camera at a neighbouring property by the tenant's son and excessive yelling coming from the tenancy. WA Police attended on this date to diffuse the situation and the tenant admitted she was yelling at her son for stealing the property from the neighbour. WA Police have since advised that the CCTV video quality is poor and as such they are unable to lay charges against the person of interest. The Department is continuing discussions with WA Police. A further complaint has been received on 6 June 2013 relating to the behaviour of children throwing objects at neighbouring properties. The Department is working with WA Police and is contacting the tenant as part of its investigation to substantiate the complaint.
(4) The letter was based on information provided to the Department by the WA Police in line with the Memorandum of Understanding with WA Police. Complainants are encouraged to contact WA Police in the first instance. As you know WA Police may be aware of the occupants at the tenancy for unrelated matters.
(5) Refer to (2).
(1) Yes
(2) The Department manages all tenancies in line with the
Residential Tenancies Act 1987
. This tenancy is of serious concern. The Department is taking action under the Disruptive Behaviour Management Strategy. A first strike was issued on 17 April 2013 for substantiated incidents of excessive noise from vehicles, verbal abuse and threatening behaviour. The tenant's admission was used to substantiate the complaints. There was no supporting evidence from WA Police or independent witnesses that verified the incidents. Although there were a number of incidents they do not represent separate strikes as under the
Residential Tenancies Act 1987
the Department must provide the tenant with the opportunity to rectify the behaviour.
(3) The Department can only act on information that is available during the investigation process. The Department is continuing discussions with WA Police. The Department acknowledges that the length of time between the complaint in February and the issuing of the strike in April was extensive however the Department has ensured that appropriate evidence is available if the matter proceeds to court and that procedural fairness was afforded to the tenant. Further incidents occurred on 2 May 2013 which involved trespassing, property damage, verbal abuse and threatening behaviour resulting in WA Police attendance. The Department is investigating the matter, including investigations with WA Police. The incident related to the removal of a CCTV camera at a neighbouring property by the tenant's son and excessive yelling coming from the tenancy. WA Police attended on this date to diffuse the situation and the tenant admitted she was yelling at her son for stealing the property from the neighbour. WA Police have since advised that the CCTV video quality is poor and as such they are unable to lay charges against the person of interest. The Department is continuing discussions with WA Police. A further complaint has been received on 6 June 2013 relating to the behaviour of children throwing objects at neighbouring properties. The Department is working with WA Police and is contacting the tenant as part of its investigation to substantiate the complaint.
(4) The letter was based on information provided to the Department by the WA Police in line with the Memorandum of Understanding with WA Police. Complainants are encouraged to contact WA Police in the first instance. As you know WA Police may be aware of the occupants at the tenancy for unrelated matters.
(5) Refer to (2).
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