Dee Why tent metropolis: Homeless take over sand dunes at Sydney seashore

A ‘tent metropolis’ has fashioned on pristine sand dunes at one among Sydney’s hottest seashores, with locals residing in worry of its homeless occupants, one among whom hurled rocks at a Day by day Mail Australia reporter.  

A number of tough sleepers residing within the coastal scrub behind Dee Why Seashore on town’s Northern Seashores have been vandalising property, stealing from passers-by and intimidating them, locals declare. 

Huge piles of garbage, bikes and furnishings have constructed up on the water’s edge and locals are apprehensive the homeless will go away Dee Why’s status in tatters – and harm the fragile lagoon’s ecosystem.

In addition they declare a number of the homeless occupants are posing as tradies whereas making an attempt to take objects from parked vehicles and watching beachgoers via binoculars earlier than stealing their belongings.

Day by day Mail Australia tried to go to ‘tent metropolis’ however have been verbally abused by one man who pelted rocks at a reporter and photographer.

‘F*** off, get out of right here… get that digicam out of right here,’ he yelled.

A tent metropolis has been forming on the pristine sand dunes of one among Sydney’s hottest seashores – with locals involved over the behaviour of its occupants

Photos from the scene present garbage strewn all through the encampment with empty containers, baskets and miscellaneous objects packed into the location

A few of the residents of the homeless group have been residing among the many native banksia timber that line the seashore for greater than two years.

Day by day Mail Australia understands the group had been residing at one other location across the Dee Why Lagoon, however moved nearer to the seashore after a fireplace.

They’ve occupied completely different spots across the water, earlier than settling within the present dune space – sandwiched between a sandy coastal monitor and the seashore – with swimmers and surfers simply metres away. 

Pictures taken by the Manly Observer present the realm strewn with chairs, tents and waste. 

Ewan Lund, a barista at a beachfront café, mentioned he was conscious of tough sleepers however mentioned they principally maintain to themselves.

‘We all know they’re there, however you may’t see them or the tents from the pathway,’ he mentioned.

A mismatch of chairs, tables, eskies and crates make up the furnishings all through the tough sleeper’s group nestled on Dee Why’s sand dunes

‘One time we had a man are available and ask for cash, however in any other case you by no means see them.’

A involved native, who did not wish to be named, mentioned the homeless group had even focused a pair of ladies who clear the seashore every morning. 

‘Virtually nobody is aware of that they are there until they’ve had points with them. There was council and police going there however they cannot do something and I believe they like to have them contained there so they don’t seem to be inflicting points wherever else,’ the resident informed the Manly Observer.

‘Two women you see earlier than dawn rain or shine stroll up and down Dee Why Seashore acquire every bit of garbage. They do it out of affection for the realm. 

‘Apparently they got here out of the camp and threatened the 2 women to go away for getting too shut.’

Aerial photos present a number of campsites scattered all through the brushland between Dee Why’s seashore and lagoon

There are a number of bikes and scooters littered across the communities – with locals claiming they’ve been stolen

It is believed the setup has been rising via the pandemic, with three settlements now established on the headland. 

Photos from the scene present a mismatch of chairs, tables, eskies and crates getting used as furnishings in widespread areas of the tent metropolis.

Garbage is strewn all through the campsites, with plastic bottles and tubs lining the ground.

There are baskets full of garments and different objects all through the group.

Ewan Lund, a barista at a beachfront cafe, mentioned he was conscious of tough sleepers however mentioned for essentially the most they stored to themselves

Sleeping luggage could be seen alongside the bottom of the widespread areas – which can counsel some folks sleep outdoors in addition to in tents

There are sleeping luggage positioned alongside the sand which can counsel persons are sleeping on the dunes in addition to in tents.

One of many tents has a inexperienced tarp hung over its roof, trying to camouflage with its environment. 

There are a number of bikes, scooters and surfboards packed into the squatters camp – with locals say have been stolen from the close by carpark. 

Folks have witnessed tough sleepers mining the realm for unlocked vehicles and leftover belongings.

There are three completely different campsites located alongside the shoreline – all inside shut proximity of beachgoers

One campsite has seen folks burrow into the sand and hold tarps over the dugout to create a cover

They are saying they’ve seen residents from the encampment pose as tradies in excessive vis vests to not arouse suspicion whereas trying to take issues from parked autos.

One particular person mentioned they witnessed the tough sleepers watching individuals who had gone into the water with binoculars, earlier than stealing the possessions they left in towels on the sand. 

NSW Police mentioned there had been no hyperlink between the tough sleepers and incidents within the space, however Northern Seashores Council confirmed that they had tried to make contact with these residing on the dunes.

‘Council is conscious of people tenting at Dee Why Lagoon and is involved with NSW Police, Group Northern Seashores and Mission Australia who’re offering outreach providers to the folks sleeping tough,’ a Council spokesperson mentioned.

A pile of garbage could be seen in a single a part of the tent metropolis – together with what seems to be a beer keg

The tent metropolis sits simply past the seashore’s southern carpark – with locals saying its occupants can usually be seen on the lookout for belongings

‘Whereas safety of the Dee Why Lagoon Wildlife Refuge is a precedence, Council is engaged on a balanced resolution that manages environmental impacts whereas being delicate to the wellbeing of these residing within the space.’

The council confirmed it couldn’t pressure the tough sleepers from the dwelling. 

‘When coping with folks sleeping tough, Council operates in accordance with the Northern Seashores Homeless Individuals Protocol. In implementing the Protocol, Council seeks to recognise the rights of homeless folks in addition to balancing the wants of public area and the surroundings.

‘Council at all times treats these folks with compassion and makes an attempt to refer the people with a view to having them have interaction with acceptable helps.’ 

Residents have complained to the council over the harm the tough sleepers are inflicting to the native surroundings

Dee Why’s shopfront full of cafes and eating places is only a couple hundred metres from the tent metropolis – however locals say they’ve by no means seen its occupants