‘Caravan city’ just 180m from Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon’s Gold Coast electorate office

There is “no better proof” that the housing crisis is getting worse than people sleeping rough in a park just up the road from Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon’s Gold Coast electorate office, critics say.

People sleeping rough at a park near Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon’s Gold Coast electorate office say they feel like “no one” can help them, as new data reveals calls for cost-of-living help has spiked on the Glitter Strip.

As new data from St Vincent de Paul’s shows there had been a 13 per cent increase over the past year of Gold Coast residents seeing out financial support, The Sunday Mail has uncovered a “caravan city” in the car park near Arthur Earle Park, across from Ms Scanlon’s Nerang office.

Rachel Small and Dave Porter are living out of a van in Nerang on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Rachel Small and Dave Porter have been living on the streets for the past three years. But after sleeping under trees for almost 14 months, they finally got a van, which they now park at Arthur Earle Park.

Ms Small, who works at a poultry shop, said council had tried to move the couple multiple times.

“Every day it’s a worry,” she said.

People are sleeping rough in their vans and cars at the park. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“Council just don't seem to understand that we have nowhere to go,” Mr Porter added.

“We’ve had them turn up at 2am in the morning, knock on the door and say you have to move on or there’s a $700 fine which doesn’t help the matter.

“It’s disheartening, there’s nowhere else to go, all the caravan parks are full, we’ve tried to get housing - that hasn’t happened.”

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon’s office is just 180m from the park. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Ms Small said Ms Scanlon had visited them in the past, and had referred them to local homeless advocate group Uniting Care. She claims told there was no additional support available.

Another woman living at the park said she felt like “no one” could help them on.

“No one has come from the minister’s office,” she said.

“Only the Council have come to tell us to move.”

Ms Scanlon’s office is visible from the park. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said she had made moves to help the people at the park access support services.

“My local team and I have worked to help people in our community, including in Arthur Earle Park, get connected with housing and homelessness supports,” she said.

“The critical response team and UnitingCare have been out together and offered accommodation, and will continue to visit the area.”

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon. Picture: Adam Head

A City of Gold Coast spokeswoman said city officers work closely with the Gold Coast Homelessness Network and the state government to suggest support available and housing options.

“Any person found illegally camping, that is not homeless, is given a move on direction (verbal or written) by City Officers,” she said.

“If they are found at the same location on the next night, an infringement notice may be issued. City Officers patrol the city at night for illegal camping, and have patrolled Arthur Earle Park.”

Anglicare Southern Queensland group manager for social and community services Liz Giles said services were struggling to keep up.

“One of the things that we’re seeing increasingly is people on single and dual incomes are presenting in need of support,” she said.

“Because even a dual income is not sufficient to get them into housing in many cases.”