Locals, government, council and business owners weigh in on Southport’s homelessness crisis

From makeshift ‘tarp cities’ to people urinating and defecating on the street, Southport’s homelessness problem rages on. But who is taking responsibility to fix it? READ THE LATEST

The homelessness crisis in the Southport CBD is not getting any better – and here is the proof.

The image of crude tarp shelters, trolleys and bags of rubbish litterring the CBD’s streets as those living rough band together in these forms of micro communities paints a stark picture of the reality in Southport.

People walking by put their head down and steer clear.

It comes as community frustration in the CBD has reached boiling point, with traders and residents telling the Bulletin this week the problem has gotten worse and there is a feeling political leaders are making no headway on a solution.

Homeless

The historical issues around homelessness in Southport have long been on the political radar, with all three levels of government, community agencies and authorities saying they are doing everything in their power to remedy the situation.

But this picture captured by the Bulletin last week of a makeshift homeless shelter on Nerang St in front of the TAFE, suggests there is still much work to be done.

While the shelter has since been removed, one business owner says it is inevitable it will pop up again somewhere else in Southport.

Harry Lee, owner of Nerang St Chinese Restaurant Duckie Duckie, is preparing to “shut up shop with no plans to reopen”.

He says the impact of the homeless numbers are a contributing factor to the decision.

“It’s not just the homeless but trade has slowed down and I think they are causing a lot of it, they are scaring people” he said.

“They will stay in one spot for a while and when they are moved on, they will just find a new spot nearby.”

Southport resident Tina Grice, who has lived in the area for four years, says the problem continues to plague the Southport CBD.

“It has gotten much, much worse since I’ve lived here and would say it’s the worst I’ve seen it lately,” she said.

“They (the homeless) are setting up makeshift tents and housing all throughout the parkland and on the streets.”

Business owners in Southport said they were fed up with the ongoing homelessness issue on Scarborough Street, Southport late last year. Picture: Sam Stolz

The Bulletin contacted the state Department of Housing about the number of homeless living rough in the CBD, however no figures were available.

Gold Coast City Councillor Brooke Patterson, who represents Southport, said council had met with business owners in November last year to discuss their concerns and measures being taken. However, she said the issue was “clearly a state government problem”.

“We met with the majority of businesses at the southern end of Scarborough St. We had a frank conversation about the challenges they are facing in the area and I appreciate how much stress this is placing on business owners and their staff,” Cr Patterson said.

“Since the meeting, City Public Space Liaison Officers (PSLOs) have continued to work one by one with each of the homeless individuals in the nearby area to find alternative housing and support.

Cr Patterson said the shortage of public housing in the area was “not helping the situation, and is a responsibility of the state”.

A spokesperson from the state government’s department of housing said they had allocated $10.26 million to seven charity organisations across the Coast as part of its $16m homelessness response plan.

“Last financial year specialist homelessness services assisted more than 3000 clients on the Gold Coast.”

Division 6 Councillor Brooke Patterson . Picture Glenn Hampson

Jackson Hills, from homelessness welfare advocates Q Shelter, said the organisation understood the gravity of the homelessness situation across the CBD.

“Clearly, it’s a very tough environment at the moment, with record low rental availability and sharp increases in rental prices. Cost of living pressures are only amplifying things even further. More people are now being pushed into the homelessness category,” he said.

“With that said, we are encouraged by the work the city are doing in this space. They recently launched their homelessness action plan. At the end of the day, it’s a response that requires all three levels of government to work together.”

Gold Coast’s worst street ghettos in Surfers Paradise and Southport revealed

Mr Hills said there was a dire need for additional accommodation, ideally a model that provides homeless people access to long-term accommodation and essential services.

“Ideally this would be in an area with the greatest need and would deliver an outcome for close to 200 people in supportive-style accommodation with wraparound services.”

He said the Common Ground model was “proven” across the country and overseas.

But for those living and working in the CBD, they face the daily reality of a long road ahead for a sustainable solution to the issue.

A security officer in the area described Scarborough St as “Southport’s own Skid Row”,

Another business owner told the Bulletin in December last year he was sick and tired of the homeless “urinating, defecating and sleeping” in the entry way to his kebab shop.

He was resigned to getting up day after day to wash blood and faeces from the path in front of his store.

Brisbane resident John Trotter was visiting the area for the day with his wife and young infant and said the homeless problem appeared to be “out of control”.

“We are just here for the day but I’ve noticed a lot of homeless people all up and down the street. We see a lot less in Brisbane,” he said.

“Something needs to be done. It’s a tourist spot and we want to see it as a welcoming place to visit. Business owners should be able to feel like people can come in and give their restaurants a go without witnessing what’s happening on the street.”

Showgrounds rejected for homeless

A Gold Coast councillor has rejected calls for the Mudgeeraba Showgrounds to be used to help local homeless families.

Mudgeeraba residents have taken to social media with their ideas to address what one described as the “increasing number of folk living in their cars”.

“It’s time we are able to utilise these places – Beenleigh Showgrounds do it,” one social media user wrote. “It’s ridiculous having places that can be used to help people right now. Basic human rights.”

Division 9 councillor Glenn Tozer said he was aware of local families sleeping in cars.

“The Mudgeeraba Showgrounds is used for events on a regular basis – they wouldn’t be able to stay there permanently because they have events every week,” Mr Tozer said.

“The problem of social housing needs to be addressed by the state government as part of their homelessness action plans. The volunteers at the Mudgeeraba Show Society shouldn’t be expected to solve that problem.”

Mudgeeraba residents are calling on Gold Coast council to let homeless families use the Mudgeeraba showground facilities. Picture: Jerad Williams

A council spokeswoman said the regular use of the site for homeless services was not consistent with the site’s land use. “The city does not have primary responsibility for the provision of welfare, housing or health services.

“The city works collaboratively with other levels of government, local services, businesses and the wider community to address homelessness,” she said.

According to the 2016 census, on any given day 77 people in Mudgeeraba-Tallebudgera experience homelessness. Updated homelessness figures from the 2021 Census won’t be made available until next year.

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The number of people experiencing homelessness on the Gold Coast has risen significantly over the past year due to increased cost-of-living pressures and housing shortages.

Originally published as Locals, government, council and business owners weigh in on Southport’s homelessness crisis