It worked.
Media began telling the tragic stories of the camp’s occupants, which included pregnant women and the elderly. More came in mid-January, when another “tent city” under an overpass on the outskirts of Perth’s CBD was set alight.
Like its namesake, Fremantle’s tent city was soon at the centre of criminal allegations, including rape, beatings and robberies.
On 23 January the state government took control of the reserve from Fremantle council. The camp was dismantled and its inhabitants taken by bus to “emergency” accommodation in hotels and hostels across Perth.
McGowan said the people who had been living at the site were now in the hands of authorised support agencies after being lured to tent city by “anarchists” and activists under false pretences.
Fight over rough sleepers $40,000 hotel bill takes a twist on revelation of fraud convictions theage.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theage.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Perth hotel left in the lurch amid bickering over $20,000 homeless accommodation bill
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A Perth family-owned hotel has been left in the lurch amid bickering over who will pick up the bill to temporarily house homeless people in the wake of the dismantling of Fremantle’s ‘tent city’.
Perth City Apartment owner Eddie Kamil said the hotel was more than $20,000 out of pocket and warned the business was running out of cash to continue housing and feeding the rough sleepers.
Perth City Apartment Hotel Eddie Kamil with some bread used to feed his guests.