Tensions rise as homeless, tents cleared away from Musgrave Park

Dozens of police and council workers have been accused of “aggressively” removing homeless residents from Musgrave Park this morning ahead of the popular Paniyiri Festival next weekend.

Rough sleepers across multiple cities in Queensland have been booted from tent city hot spots in a blitz by local councils.

Housing Minister Sam O’Connor denied councils had been emboldened by the newly elected LNP government, saying it was a matter for council.

“I don’t think there’s been a change in whether councils are emboldened or anything like that, they’re responsible, ultimately, for their spaces,” he said.

“…and they’re taking actions that they think are in the interests of their ratepayers and in the interests of their cities and that’s a decision for them.”

Dozens of police and council workers removed tents and homeless residents from Musgrave Park on Thursday ahead of the popular Paniyiri Festival next weekend.

Brisbane City Council said the move was unrelated to the festival, but in both 2023 and 2024 more than 50 people living in tents in Musgrave Park were relocated just weeks before the annual event.

On the Gold Coast council officials accompanied by police had handed out notices giving homeless people living in Carey Park 24 hours to leave or have their property seized.

One man who had been sleeping in Musgrave Park for five days said he “got told to pack up my things and leave”.

“They basically just created a show that you cannot say no to because there were several people talking at you,” he said.

Homeless tents in Musgrave Park, pictured on Tuesday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said to date, there had been no incidents that required police intervention.

“The role of the Queensland Police Service is to keep the peace during engagements between Brisbane City Council and rough sleepers to ensure all people, including both rough sleepers and council employees, are kept safe,” the spokesman said.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Cr Lucy Collier, said she was distressed by reports of council officers and police moving people from Musgrave Park.

“This comes after the relentless efforts and comments made by the Lord Mayor demonising vulnerable people ... and claiming they have all been offered housing, which they haven’t,” Cr Collier said.

The council’s approach to encampments was announced in March following concerns about violence, drug use and anti-social behaviour.

In instances where people camping in parks refuse accommodation or assistance, police can ask them to move on after 24 hours’ notice has been provided.

More than 20 police and council workers were seen walking through Musgrave Park on Thursday, monitoring the situation.

The majority of tents had been cleared and moved to a section at the corner of the park.

People living in tents could be seen yelling out “shame” and “disgusting” at police.

Just before 7.45am police and council vehicles had left Musgrave Park.

Community Union Defence League Queensland lead organiser Bec Pring said authorities, including the department of housing arrived at 6am.

“They started shaking on everybody’s tents, waking them up and giving them notice that they have 30 minutes to pack up their things and leave the park,” she said.

“We are here to try and support people. We thought they would be given 24 hours, so we were going to help them slowly pack their things up, move them to a safe place, and then help them find temporary accommodation.

“Unfortunately, we were instead given 30 minutes.

“People’s things were pulled out of their tents. People who were trying to help pack up were threatened with obstruction charges if they didn’t leave.

“We have got as many people’s things up (at the top of Musgrave Park) as we can. We’re trying to organise some support for them.

“It’s been very traumatising for them, and I am really, really disappointed at the way that they treated these people today.”

One man who had been sleeping in Musgrave Park for five days said he was woken up to police, council and government workers in front of his tent this morning.

“I got told to pack up my things and leave. Pack up my tent, pack up everything I have and leave this area,” he said.

“They did not pressure me with fines. They basically just created a show that you cannot say no to because there were several people talking at you, so you can’t really have a conversation. You just had to follow directions.

Remaining tents at Musgrave Park. Picture Lachie Millard

“I’ve been offered a place … which I’m about to go to.”

Greens councillor for the Gabba Trina Massey addressed the group of volunteers and rough sleepers after police and council left, and thanked them for their support against the removal of tents in the park.

“What we saw (from police and council workers) was aggressive, coercive … and I dare say if everyone wasn’t here it could have gone really ugly,” she said.

“They will be back tomorrow and I will continue my work to try and put pressure for an exclusion zone.”

In a statement on Friday morning, the Paniyiri Greek Festival volunteer committee reassured that “safety was always a priority” and stressed it was not responsible for the decision to move rough sleepers from Musgrave Park.

Posting the community statement to Instagram, the committee stressed that it took its responsibility seriously, acknowledging homelessness was a “sensitive” issue.

“We acknowledge that homelessness is a complex and sensitive issue that affects many people in our city,” the statement read.

“We want to be clear that Paniyiri is not responsible for the relocation of rough sleepers from Musgrave Park. This decision was made by the Brisbane City Council and was announced by the Lord Mayor in March.

“We deeply care about all members of our community and are committed to working constructively with local and state government agencies to support respectful and compassionate outcomes.

“In 2024, housing options were provided by authorities for those open to relocating and safe spaces were made available in the park for others during the festival. We are going to ensure a similar approach is taken this year - balancing the needs of the festival with care for vulnerable individuals.”

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said to date, there have been no incidents that have required police intervention.

“The role of the Queensland Police Service is to keep the peace during engagements between Brisbane City Council and rough sleepers to ensure all people, including both rough sleepers and council employees, are kept safe,” the spokesman said.

“There were no physical incidents that occurred during the engagement. No arrests or move-on directions were required this morning.”

Anti-poverty network volunteer Jayden Oxton-White said they had been trying to negotiate an exclusion zone for rough sleepers in Musgrave Park.

“At the very least, having a bit of an exclusion zone, where the folks living in the park would continue to live and actually have their tent set up, because there simply is nowhere to go,” he said.

“Over the last few days, we’ve gotten word that is simply not going to be happening – the exclusion zone. That they’re going to be taking the whole park for the Paniyiri Festival, which is particularly disappointing.”

Supporters of rough sleepers at Musgrave Park on Thursday morning. Picture Lachie Millard

Brisbane City Council confirmed the removal of tents only occurs when housing has been offered and declined and would never involve a fine from Council.

City Standards Chair Cr Sarah Hutton said it was “cruel and heartless” for Greens politicians to accept people sleeping in dangerous tent encampments.

They simply don’t understand our parks should be safe for all Brisbane residents, not turned into no-go zones because of violence, drug use and anti-social behaviour,” Cr Hutton said.

“While Greens politicians like to make all kinds of claims about housing, the fact is every single one of them has made a career out of opposing new homes in their local areas.

“Instead of building much-needed homes in a housing crisis, the CFMEU downed tools to join a Greens Party protest and intimidated council workers, police and housing officials who were trying to get people out of dangerous encampments and into safe accommodation.”

A CFMEU spokesperson said members were at Musgrave Park to support vulnerable people who were being evicted. “Social issues are union business and our members will always stand up for what is right,” the spokesperson said.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Cr Lucy Collier, said she was distressed by reports of council officers and police moving people from Musgrave Park.

“This comes after the relentless efforts and comments made by the Lord Mayor demonising vulnerable people ... and claiming they have all been offered housing, which they haven’t,” Cr Collier said.

“This LNP Council has a real lack of genuine solutions after decades of inaction on housing.

“The issue of rough sleepers is a complex one that requires varied solutions. No one should be sleeping in a tent as their home, but the reality is that these people have nowhere else to go.”

Minister for Housing Sam O’Connor said housing outreach officers had attended Musgrave Park over the past few days.

“It’s really tough for a lot of people right now, and to respond to Labor’s housing crisis that we inherited,” he said.

“Support has been and will continue to be offered. Our housing outreach officers have attended Musgrave Park over the past few days, engaging with as many people as they safely could, and they will be back again this week and for as long as is needed.

“When support is offered, I urge people to please take it up – whether it’s an initial step of temporary or emergency accommodation or being connected to our state-funded specialist services, which can make a real difference. We have people ready to support and help them take that first step.

“We’re providing more funding for homelessness support than any Queensland Government has before to help with crisis accommodation, and we’ve got almost 5,000 social and affordable homes under contract or under construction across Queensland as a start to deliver the long-term housing we need to see.”