The City of Moreton Bay has announced a free camping site for tents to help deal with the region’s homeless crisis.
The site Wyllie Park in Petrie includes a current overnight camping area and is serviced by toilets and refuse facilities.
The area will be monitored by CCTV and regular security patrols.
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the Wyllie Park free camping site should not be seen an alternative to established crisis accommodation or emergency housing.
“The State Government is responsible for crisis accommodation and longer-term community housing, but the Council faces increased pressure on its public parks from people experiencing homelessness,” Cr Flannery 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.”
The City of Moreton Bay has been dealing with a surge in homelessness that resulted in a controversial enforcement action in which rough sleepers were cleared from public spaces.
The move resulted in a Supreme Court legal action that claimed campers had been evicted and their personal property taken without reasonable notice or proportionate care.
According to the Human Rights Law Centre, the court found that the council breached their obligations under the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) (HRA) in evicting rough sleepers from a homeless encampment and subsequently destroying the camp.
Cr Flannery said the Wylie Park move addressed safety, public health and hygiene and helped balance community impact with individual impact.
Division 8 Councillor Jim Moloney said the Council’s decision was an attempt to provide a viable alternative for those people experiencing homelessness.
“Unfortunately, the Council has been placed in a difficult position as we are not responsible for crisis accommodation, but it is our parks and public spaces which are coming under increasing pressure from those experiencing homelessness,” he said.
“Wyllie Park provides a viable alternative to our public parks while also being a free option for those looking for a camping site.”
Encircle Community Services CEO Barb Power said her organisation had long advocated for better housing outcomes and better support for people experiencing homelessness in the city.
“Demand for affordable and social housing continues to exceed supply which is putting increased pressure on already stretched local services and is leaving those experiencing homelessness feeling like they have nowhere to go,” she said.
“Encircle welcomes making Wyllie Park a free camp site as it will provide people experiencing homelessness with a location option that is close to support services where they can have a form of stability and won’t have to fear being moved on.”
