Mounting complaints about illegal camping and rubbish dumping at the Caloundra Aerodrome have raised safety concerns, prompting Sunshine Coast Council to engage support services.
A council spokesperson said authorities were aware of the situation and that assistance had been offered on site.
“We have engaged with support services and can confirm both Department of Housing and Public Works and Integrated Family and Youth Service (IFYS) have attended the location offering support,” they said.
Caloundra Aerodrome, owned and operated by Sunshine Coast Council, spans 145 hectares and includes two sealed runways.
Reserved as an aircraft landing ground in 1931, it supports general aviation and flight training, recording about 40,000 aircraft movements each year and employing more than 120 people.
However, some community members say conditions around the aerodrome land have deteriorated.
“The gateway to Caloundra is now a tip with illegal campers leaving rubbish,” local resident Stu Riley said.
Want more free local news? Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and sign up for our FREE daily news email.
Division 2 Councillor Terry Landsberg said the issue went beyond homelessness and posed serious safety risks.
“The situation out there is much more than a homeless issue. There is genuine concern for the safety of employees and staff at the Caloundra Aerodrome,” he said.
Cr Landsberg said he had been calling for action for months.
“This matter is escalating, and we need to relocate this illegal encampment to another location,” he said.
“I understand that businesses at the aerodrome have raised multiple complaints to police in relation to this matter, property has been destroyed, and assaults occurred.
“Not sure what we are waiting for, but the writing is on the wall for something more serious to happen.”
Related story: Aerodrome expansion set to bring $75m economic boost
HeliMods, an aerospace technology company based at Caloundra Aerodrome, has been seeking support from council and police over ‘serious safety and security issues’ since August 2025.
“The Caloundra Aerodrome is owned and operated by Sunshine Coast Council, and as such, it is our expectation that any issues relating to airport safety and security should be addressed by council as a matter of high priority,” a HeliMods spokesperson said.
“Businesses operating at the Caloundra Aerodrome continue to be impacted by what has been allowed to occur on airport property to date.
“We remain hopeful that a permanent solution to restore safety and security to the Caloundra Aerodrome can be found in the near future.”
A council spokesperson said their team aimed to balance compassion with community safety.
“Council does not consider homelessness to be illegal camping and recognises that it is a significant, distressing, and ongoing issue for some people in our region, especially at this time of the year,” they said.
“The initial approach from our teams is to talk to those experiencing homelessness to help connect them with services best placed to provide immediate support and access to services.”
Council said it remained focused on improving outcomes for both the community and vulnerable people.
“Council shares the community’s concerns and is committed to safer public spaces and better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness,” they said.
“This is a complex challenge, and progress depends on partnerships, with that work already underway.”
