Fresh rental crisis fears for Perth’s CBD; The $60 million school with 546 parking bays (and the reclusive church behind it)

Residents on a Perth suburban street who questioned why a convicted paedophile making locals uncomfortable had been allowed to continue living in his public housing property have had a win, with the Department of Communities confirming the man will not return to the area.

The 44-year-old, who had resided at the house for around five years, was jailed on Monday for eight months for indecently assaulting a woman at a Scarborough shopping centre.

Prior to being jailed, the long-time registered sex offender had upset residents in his suburb by making inappropriate remarks to people as they walked past his home, and regularly loitering at a nearby playground.

The man’s identity and suburb cannot be named for legal reasons.

Neighbour Peter told Radio 6PR he had heard many stories about the man’s behaviour from concerned residents.

“We just don’t want him back on our street,” he said.

“Children are being told to walk on the opposite side of the road to his house, where he often sits out the front and calls out to people … This particular location is clearly not suitable.”

In response to the community outcry, a Department of Communities spokesman confirmed this morning that the man would not return to the address after his prison stint.

“When the property is returned to a lettable standard, it will be let by the provider to another supported Community Disability Housing Program client,” he said.