City of Bunbury staff are being forced to clean up human faeces and remove graffiti at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell as homeless people continue to use the structure as shelter.

Repairs had also been made after fires had been lit on the shell’s stage, according to acting chief executive officer Mal Osborne.

The South Western Times on Tuesday morning witnessed the damage and rubbish being left behind by those seeking shelter and spoke to four people who had stayed the night.

The four homeless people did not want to be named, but told the Times the shell provided protection from the weather and they cleaned up their own belongings every day.

The behaviour has prompted Bunbury City Council to look at its options.

“The city is aware of people using the shell stage for sleeping and is also aware of a range of antisocial behaviours that have been reported around the music shell,” Mr Osborne said.

“City staff are regularly monitoring the area to address the results of antisocial behaviour such as littering, damage and vandalism.

“This comes at a cost to the community with ratepayers’ money required to clean the area of undesirable waste such as faeces and cigarette butts.

“The city is helping, where possible, to connect people who may require assistance with the relevant agencies and support groups.”

Responding to whether continuous music would again be played to deter the homeless, Mr Osborne said no decisions had been made.

“The music was turned off almost two months ago as a mark of respect,” he said. “A range of ideas about how we can address antisocial behaviour are being explored with a decision yet to be made.”

The shell will be closed off completely from Monday for four days as the council prepares the venue for summer events.

Mr Osborne said the council was working with agencies, community members, AccordWest and Bunbury MLA Don Punch to tackle the city’s homelessness on a broader scale.

He said people should feel safe in the area and the council had further plans for the shell.

“The shell and Bicentennial Square are public spaces and we want to make sure people feel comfortable in these areas and are making use of the assets available,” he said.

“This is a prime entry point into our city and we need to ensure visitors are also welcomed, safe and relaxed in this area.

“Stimulating this area for public use is a key strategy that goes hand-in-hand with our current CBD Activation Strategy.

“It is in a prime location and with more shade sails planned for the grassed area, its proximity to a café and other shopping, along with its location close to the Bunbury Visitor Centre, makes it the perfect place for events or even just city workers to enjoy their lunch.

“The city is also looking at ways it can add to the appeal, such as programming a light show utilising the existing lighting at the shell that would be a potential drawcard.”