A mobile homeless shelter will extend its services next year, offering rough sleepers a temporary haven at night.
The Sunny Coast Sleeper will start operating in Nambour on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights from early 2026, while continuing its Maroochydore service on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights with the support of trained volunteers.
It’s operated by Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre (MNC) with the backing of Sunshine Coast Council and is funded in part by a philanthropic family, a grant from TURSA Employment and Training, and donations from the community.
The Coast’s first Sleepbus ran from 2022 until it was forced to wind up operations in early 2025. MNC then assumed ownership of the service in March. Now called Sunny Coast Sleeper, the rebranded service was relaunched late October.
MNC CEO Mark Ellis said that while the bus was not a permanent solution to homelessness, it played a vital role in supporting people sleeping rough.
“Even one night of safe, uninterrupted sleep makes an extraordinary difference,” he said.
“Volunteers have described the transformation as chalk and cheese. People may get on the bus exhausted, overwhelmed and short in their responses and by the next morning, they’re a different person.
“You could say they enter the cocoon as a caterpillar and emerge as a butterfly.”
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the sleeper bus was a practical and compassionate response to a pressing issue.
“Nambour is a community that cares deeply about its people – when someone is sleeping rough, it affects all of us,” she said.
“Sunny Coast Sleeper will give people a safe, warm place to rest and a chance to connect with support services.
“We need volunteers to make this possible – roles are flexible, training is provided and even a few hours can make a big difference. If you’ve ever wanted to help, now is the time.”
MNC is holding a community open day from 9am to noon on Thursday at Anne Street, Nambour, while the Town Square Market is on.
Residents can meet the team, tour the sleeper bus and learn more about how to help.
Division 10 Councillor David Law encouraged locals to take part in the event.
“The open day is a great opportunity to see the sleeper bus up close and understand how it will help people in our community,” he said.
“Come along, meet the volunteers and find out how you can get involved. Together, we can make a real difference for those doing it tough in Nambour.
