Award-winning framework takes holistic view of hoarding

A groundbreaking Lake Macquarie initiative that addresses hoarding and squalor cases with equal parts action and compassion is set to be rolled out in LGAs across Australia.

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 Lake Macquarie City Council fielded enquiries from more than 50 councils nationally about its pioneering Hoarding and Squalor Framework after it took out a coveted National Environmental Health Australia award in May at the International Federation of Environmental Health Congress.

Manager Environmental Regulation and Compliance Derek Poulton said hoarding and squalor cases rose sharply during COVID-19 lockdowns, then stayed at that higher level after restrictions eased.

“We’ve had a 55 per cent increase in cases since 2020 and at any one time could be dealing with more than 20 cases across the LGA,” he said.

“This is a trend not confined to Lake Macquarie.”

Historically, councils and other authorities have taken a strictly regulatory approach to meet legislated responsibilities.

But Mr Poulton said removal orders and penalty infringements were largely ignored and didn’t tackle the root of the problem.

“We realised a more effective and compassionate approach would balance the wellbeing of people living in these conditions with the impact on the community and our regulatory requirements.”

Under the framework, Council staff assess not only the property condition, but the willingness and capability of the resident to seek help.

“We’ve shifted the focus to providing pathways for individuals to seek long-term solutions with health professionals, psychological services and community groups like Samaritans and the Salvation Army, rather than just walking in and issuing fines and warnings,” Mr Poulton said.

“It represents a significant step in addressing a complex and challenging social, environmental and public health issue – one that not only helps the people living in these conditions but the entire community.”

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said Council developed the framework after consultation with the Mental Health Hotline, Catholic Care, the NSW Government’s Family and Community Services, NSW Police and NSW Fire and Rescue.

“This framework empowers our Environmental Health Officers to effectively assist the community in improving health and well-being for individuals, their families, and the broader community,” she said.

“Dozens of other councils right across Australia are now poised to adopt this approach, demonstrating how effective it has been here in Lake Mac.”

Macquarie University hoarding expert Professor Melissa Norberg said hoarding disorder was a complex and under-recognised serious mental illness that worsened with age.

It affects about 2.5 per cent of the adult population and seven per cent of older adults.

“We don’t exactly know what causes hoarding. It seems to be about 50 per cent genetics and 50 per cent environmental,” Professor Norberg said.

“Psychologists, support groups, occupational therapists, professional organisers, cleaners, housing authorities, and legal professionals may all need to collaborate to help someone with hoarding issues.”

Hoarding disorder is defined as a difficulty in discarding possessions, leading to so much clutter that it makes a person’s home or parts of it unusable except for storage.

Squalor refers to a condition that is unhygienic through neglect or the collection of waste items that pose a health and safety risk to residents.

“Each individual case is different and because of that it’s unlikely that any two cases will be treated in exactly the same manner,” Mr Poulton said.

“But this framework helps put us on the path to achieve a positive outcome for everyone involved.”