Makeshift camp near Maryborough’s Brolga Theatre sad sign of housing crisis

Victims of the Qld housing crisis have set up a new makeshift camp near the Mary River in Maryborough, with the council maintaining it has a “compassionate stance” towards the homeless but that the problem was a state government one.

A makeshift camp near Wide Bay Rowing Club on the Mary River.

A makeshift camp near the Mary River has given a heartbreaking glimpse into the Fraser Coast housing crisis.

The camp, located near Wide Bay Rowing Club, just down from the Brolga Theatre, has been there for a number of weeks, with the Fraser Coast council confirming it was aware of the situation.

“Fraser Coast Regional Council is aware of large numbers of homeless people living at a range of locations in Maryborough, Hervey Bay, and other areas throughout the region,” Fraser Coast Regional Council Director of Strategy, Community and Development Gerard Carlyon said.

“While addressing homelessness remains a state government issue, council is assisting the state government to handle homelessness in our region.

“On a daily basis, council is attending homeless camps and engaging with residents sleeping rough to provide referrals to other support services and to respond to any reports of anti-social behaviour.

A makeshift camp near Wide Bay Rowing Club on the Mary River.

“Council has also worked with local not-for-profits to allocate council land for a social housing development and supported the establishment of the region’s first sleepbus.

“We acknowledge the presence of the camp near the Brolga Theatre, and our general approach involves a compassionate stance regarding local homelessness camps.

“The council meets with the Queensland government every month to discuss issues such as the expansion of affordable and social housing which they are responsible for, and it is pleasing to see the State making new investments in those products.

“While homelessness is not a local government responsibility, council is dedicated to forging strong collaborations with the state government to address homelessness in our region.

“If the public witness drug use, anti-social behaviour or threatening behaviour in homeless camps then they are encouraged to report it to police.”

Councillor Paul Truscott said he was pleased the council took a compassionate approach to people experiencing homelessness.

“We’ve all seen how difficult it is for people to get into affordable and available housing in recent times,” he said.

“I really do feel for people in these situations and I’ve tried to personally help where I’m able to.

“But I also receive complaints from people about not feeling safe when walking through certain areas, and that’s not good for the community either.

“If people see issues of concern, such as anti social behaviour or illegal activities, they need to contact the police and report the matters.

“We also face the issue that because housing is not a council responsibility, council officers are not trained for these type of interactions and unfortunately we struggle obtaining support from other relevant agencies when trying to offer people assistance.

“It’s a difficult situation, and unfortunately there is not an easy solution.”

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders said the state government was doing everything possible to help people.

Mr Saunders said he had been working with the housing minister regarding the housing crisis.

“We have programs to help people with rent and getting people back into housing,” he said.

The state government had also recently released its housing strategy,” Mr Saunders said.

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