Sunshine Coast Council has outlined measures to address homelessness in the region after a neighbouring local government opened a designated campground.
The City of Moreton Bay has made space available for tents at Wyllie Park in Petrie, for a 12-month trial.
The site is serviced by toilets, waste bins, lighting and other public amenities. There is also CCTV and regular security patrols to support community safety.
When asked whether a similar option could be introduced on the Sunshine Coast, local authorities did not indicate whether they would consider the idea.
Instead, they stated that the state government had responsibility for housing and homelessness, and highlighted advocacy and support measures underway in the region.
City of Moreton Bay mayor Peter Flannery said the campground at Petrie was not an alternative to crisis accommodation or emergency housing, but it was needed.
“The council faces increased pressure on its public parks from people experiencing homelessness,” he said.
“We have listened to our residents, and those groups who work in this area, and felt the need to provide a free option for those homeless who can no longer stay in our public parks and spaces.
“This is an issue of safety and public health and hygiene. It is also a response to council’s ongoing need to balance community impact with individual impact.”
There will be ongoing access for support organisations, including government
departments, who provide services and assist people into secure accommodation, at the park.
People are required to register to stay there. Thirty sites for up to 60 people have been developed. There were 33 registered campers across 28 of the sites at the start of October.
Sunshine Coast News asked Sunshine Coast Council whether it would consider doing something similar, but did not directly address the proposal.
Instead, a representative outlined measures to address the issue.
“Homelessness impacts our whole community and is an increasing challenge for our growing region.”
“The state government has the responsibility, remit and resources to address housing and homelessness. Council is advocating to the Queensland Government on behalf of our community, while collaborating with locals to support community-led solutions.
“Through this advocacy and collaboration, we have seen positive progress, including state funding announced this year for key services, social housing and supported temporary accommodation in the region.
“We’re raising solutions identified by the housing and homelessness sector and people with lived experience. We are advocating for funding and support to increase social and affordable housing; temporary and permanent supportive housing; homelessness engagement hubs; and health services – mental health outreach and local rehabilitation services.”
“Incredible people are doing great work to help those experiencing homelessness. Council partners with community groups and organisations, collaborating or providing financial support for community-led solutions.
“Council is also encouraging developers to build more affordable housing in our region through the new planning scheme.”
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A Department of Housing and Public Works spokesperson said the state government was collaborating with local councils, other government agencies, funded providers and sector specialists “to ensure a coordinated approach to addressing homelessness”.
The spokesperson said funding was recently provided to five organisations to deliver 12 Specialist Homelessness Services in the region.
“These SHS deliver 152 places of Temporary Supported Accommodation and other support services, including mobile support, outreach access and centre-based services.”
“In addition, our Housing Outreach Mobile Engagement (HOME) team regularly conducts outreach in 23 locations across the Sunshine Coast … and actively engages with people experiencing homelessness to provide immediate support, referrals and housing assistance.”
The spokesperson said more than 140 people had been supported into temporary or long-term accommodation in the region during a two-year period, and almost 250 homes were being delivered in the region with a registered community housing provider.
“The government is also delivering a new crisis and transitional housing development, delivering 20 places of temporary supported accommodation for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and the construction tender and public notification processes for the Sunshine Coast Youth Foyer is now open.”
The foyer will offer vulnerable young people with housing in a supported living environment while they are learning and earning.
Nambour resident and community advocate Helen Tagg, who last year started a petition calling for action on homelessness and to “make our parks and public spaces safe again”, said the free camping initiative was a “pragmatic approach worth considering”.
“I understand why Moreton Bay Council has felt the need to try something different. There has clearly been enough political and community pressure for the council to seek a practical alternative.”
“I support the concept but I think it needs to be implemented thoughtfully. That means having the right expertise, carefully planning for the impacts on the community, providing proper case management and having clear pathways out of camping.”
She said it was not a viable long-term solution.
“Camping comes with real health and safety risks, particularly with flooding, storms, hygiene and being exposed to extreme heat and cold.”
“I see it as a carefully managed bridge while government fast-tracks dongas, portable accommodation and more permanent housing.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Tagg said some initiatives had been implemented in Nambour since she started her petition last year.
“Outreach has significantly expanded, more people have been connected with housing, and we have seen expanded state housing projects,” she said.
“We’ve seen a real improvement in our parks and public spaces through a lot of local work, and more recently there’s been a much more coordinated effort to address safety and amenity.
“But we are still missing an overall strategy and plan, and we need to work together to put a coordinated plan into action.
“The pipeline should be managed safe camping, followed by temporary and affordable housing, expanded health and support services, with proper case management connecting people through each stage.
“We also need regional load sharing between councils. Nambour shouldn’t be carrying a disproportionate share simply because it has, historically, had strong community organisations and support services.
“Maroochydore should take on a greater share of the region’s homelessness support infrastructure. It has become the city centre of the Sunshine Coast and our social planning needs to reflect that.”
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
