Residents and tourists are furious after the hot water at public showers on a popular beach was turned off.
Town of Cambridge Council in Perth’s west announced the decision two days before the hot water was cut off at City Beach on Monday.
The unpopular decision was an attempt to deter visitors from camping overnight illegally without a permit and leaving behind rubbish at the beach.
A post to the council’s Facebook page said it had been trying to combat the issue with daily rubbish collections, additional bins, CCTV review and regular monitoring.
But the justification has sparked community outrage, amid claims from locals that they weren’t consulted and are now calling for the decision to be overturned.
‘I am both disappointed and appalled by this decision; families, ratepayers, community groups and beach goers all use these showers,’ one resident fumed.
‘You are punishing all people who peacefully enjoy city beach in a bid to deter a few campers.
‘Please advise how the community was consulted in this decision, and how it may be appealed.’
Town of Cambridge council has cut off hot water on public showers at Perth’s City Beach (pictured) to combat overnight campers
Another said the change was one of the reasons they ‘deplore’ the council.
‘I swim year round in the ocean at City Beach and the thought of a warm shower after a winter swim is something that I thoroughly look forward too,’ they wrote.
A third commented: ‘Make life as hard and uncomfortable as possible for those who have nowhere to sleep but their vans and cars.’
‘Young budget travellers and the poor are such an eyesore for the bourgeois aesthetic sensibilities of your ratepayers.’
Others pointed out that the ban will make it harder for the homeless to find a place to wash.
Locals claim they weren’t consulted over council’s decision to cut off the hot water (stock image)
‘If there’s a problem with homeless people existing, maybe provide state funded homes and ‘support’,’ another local wrote.
‘Just basic help organising stuff for those who really need it – they don’t have to be 6 bedroom mansions and they don’t have to have sea views.’
Town of Cambridge acting CEO Kelton Hicks said the measure ‘aims to keep City Beach clean and safe for all beachgoers.
‘This was an administrative decision made to address the issue of illegal camping at City Beach,’ he told Yahoo.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Town of Cambridge Council for further comment.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk