Sunshine Coast Council says it is doing what it can to address homelessness, amid reports of a fire and trailer loads of rubbish at one contentious campsite.
The number of people estimated to be experiencing homelessness in the region increased by 54 per cent, from 785 in 2016 to 1205 in 2021, according to the most recent confirmed data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
That figure is likely to have significantly grown since then, in line with the broader trends in Queensland that are driven by escalated living costs and housing demand outstripping supply.
Temporary campsites have emerged around the region, including at a park in Nambour.
Local business operators said in early February they were frustrated by the behaviour of their “neighbours”.
Now, footage has emerged of a Queensland Fire Department crew putting out a fire at a campsite, and there were reports that council workers later cleared the trash-riddled area only for it to be over-run by rubbish again within two days.
A video on Facebook, posted by Scooter Dee on February 11, showed emergency services dousing the fire.
The post read: “Lucky we’ve had some rain lately. Camp on fire along Petrie Creek. Could have been a lot worse.”
A QFD spokesperson detailed the incident.
“One of our crews attended and there was a tent on fire that had been partially extinguished by passers-by. The crew then extinguished it,” they said.
Meanwhile, businessman Michael Morgan posted photos of rubbish at the site on February 15.
“Council took away three big trailer loads of rubbish and moved the ‘residents’ on,” he said.
“But new people moved in and less than 48 hours after the clean-up this is the mess.
“I’m not sure what the answer is but something needs to be done.”
He said there were three emptied wheelie bins there.
Sunshine Coast News asked council whether it had moved people on and cleared the site, and whether it was aware of another group becoming established there, but did not receive a direct response.
A spokesperson did, however, state what council was doing to address homelessness and associated issues in the region, including at Nambour.
“Council recognises that housing affordability and homelessness is a significant, distressing and ongoing issue for some people living on the Sunshine Coast,” they said.
“We have held numerous meetings with those living with homelessness to understand their plight and how we, as a council, may be able to help.
“This includes people living in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping in public spaces, people living in supported accommodation, in boarding houses, in severely crowded dwellings, people staying temporarily with other households or in temporary lodgings.”
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“Our officers regularly attend locations across the Sunshine Coast, including the park in Nambour, in response to complaints of illegal camping and in concern for people reportedly experiencing homelessness.
“In all cases, our council officers’ initial approach is to visit and talk to people experiencing homelessness to help connect them with services best placed to provide immediate support and access to support services, such as the Department of Housing’s Critical Outreach Team.”
“Officers work closely with state government services to link people with options for housing and support and assist to escalate support for people at high risk, such as children and people leaving domestic violence situations). Officers provide information and directions to persons who are camping illegally. Enforcement action is always a last resort.
“Anti-social or unlawful behaviour, such as drug use or theft, falls under the jurisdiction of the Queensland Police Service.
“Council works closely with QPS and they have reiterated that it is important for people to report any specific incidents of anti-social behaviour for their information and investigation. This can be reported to 000 or 131 444.”
The spokesperson said council was contributing to finding solutions to homelessness.
“We endorsed the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan in 2023 reinforcing council’s commitment to facilitating affordable and diverse housing options and to build our capacity to respond to homelessness and support community-led initiatives,” they said.
“Council has funded a public space liaison officer position to support people experiencing homelessness in public spaces.
“We are providing identified community organisations, which deliver affordable housing on the Sunshine Coast, with a 100 per cent rebate on standard council infrastructure charges, until 2028. This rebate supports council’s Housing and Homelessness Action Plan and will support more housing, including separate housing, boarding and emergency facilities, to be delivered for those who needed it most.
“We continue to advocate to other levels of government for action to address housing availability, reduce homelessness and deliver more affordable housing choices.
“Homelessness is a situation that is difficult to quickly rectify and all tiers of government (local, state and federal), as well as the private sector (including relevant industry associations and peak bodies) and the community housing sector need to work together to effectively address the current situation.
The state and federal governments are responsible for delivering community and social housing, which includes emergency accommodation.
If you are experiencing homelessness or domestic and family violence you can call: Housing Service Centre phone (07) 5352 7333 Homeless Hotline phone 1800 474 753 DVConnect phone 1800 811 811. The online Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Directory contains details for organisations that are providing services to people experiencing homelessness.
