‘No go zones’: Barbecues vandalised in Brisbane’s ‘tent city’

Barbecues have been hot-wired in Brisbane parks frequented by homeless people in dangerous vandalism that has occurred twice in the past five days.

Dangerous vandalism in two Brisbane parks used by homeless people has continued, with two barbecues hot-wired and a hotplate ripped off 24 hours after previous damage was fixed.

The damage was estimated to be worth several thousand dollars and had potentially put lives at risk, Brisbane City Council’s Tuesday meeting heard.

City Standards Chair Sarah Hutton said the damage added to more than $30,000 so far caused by hot-wiring barbecues in Musgrave Park in West End and Kurilpa Point Park in Kangaroo Point.

Vandalism at Kurilpa Point Bridge. Picture: Supplied

“This incident brings the total spend on vandalism to over $33,000 and further demonstrates how violent and anti-social behaviour is increasing …. These areas are becoming no go zones for our residents,” she said.

“These individuals have broken into park facilities, hot-wired live power connections, which could have been potentially deadly.

“We have seen examples where they have overloaded the power boards with items like electric scooters, fridges and microwaves.

“Given the significant risk to the community, including those vulnerable people sleeping rough in the park, leaving power on was simply not an option.”

Barbecues have been targeted twice in a week. Picture: Supplied

But Ms Hutton said power was now restored after the barbecues were hardwired, but stressed there never had been publicly accessible power.

Local Greens Councillor Trina Massey said that was the nub of the problem and council had rejected her repeated calls for USB power connections.

She said turning off power to the barbecues had resulted in gas canisters being used by park residents, sparking some fires.