Veterans Retreat Gympie founder fights council amid homelessness crisis

The founder of a local charity is in a dogfight with Gympie Regional Council over dongas and shipping containers used to house and store equipment for homeless veterans.

Veterans Retreat is located on a tranquil property in Mothar Mountain and is run by Kylie, who is a medically discharged veteran that founded the retreat to provide a lifeline for those struggling after service.

A grassroots organisation providing critical support to homeless veterans and first responders is facing a potentially devastating battle with Gympie Regional Council over compliance issues.

Veterans Retreat is located on a tranquil property in Mothar Mountain and is run by Kylie, a medically discharged veteran that founded the retreat to provide a lifeline for those struggling after service.

Now, the organisation is under threat due to new council demands regarding shipping containers and temporary housing on the property.

Kylie’s journey to founding Veterans Retreat began after her own struggles with homelessness following her departure from the Australian Defence Force.

“If it wasn’t for my two children, I wouldn’t be here today,” she shared.

Veterans Retreat has grown rapidly since its inception in 2020, serving hundreds of veterans annually from all over Australia.

“If it wasn’t for my two children, I wouldn’t be here today,” she shared. Veterans Retreat has grown rapidly since its inception in 2020, serving hundreds of veterans annually from all over Australia.

Visitors engage in therapeutic activities such as working on the farm, which Kylie says has saved many lives.

“We’ve had over 890 visitors from across Australia last year,” she said.

“The impact has been phenomenal, people tell me this place has literally saved their lives.”

The retreat operated with the understanding that its facilities, including a five-bedroom donga and shipping containers used for storage, were compliant with council regulations.

“We were told by the mayor and previous planning officers to ‘go for gold’,” Kylie said.

The trouble began with a complaint was lodged two years ago by a neighbour about developments on the property.

The trouble began with a complaint lodged two years ago by a neighbour about developments on the property.

Despite assurances from the council at the time, Kylie recently received a letter demanding compliance for all shipping containers and the donga.

The council has given Veterans Retreat 45 days to either remove the containers or submit expensive and time-consuming development applications.

Failure to comply could result in fines exceeding $725,000.

“I called and asked what shipping containers they were talking about, and they said ‘every single one on your property’,” Kylie explained.

Many of the containers don’t even belong to her, but are owned by homeless veterans to store belongings.

Renovations to the donga, which houses veterans, were completed with the help of local business Bunnings in Gympie.

Renovations to the donga, which houses veterans, were completed with the help of Bunnings in Gympie.

The council’s new planning officer has insisted these measures are part of the council’s policies, despite previously being told they gave 100% assurance, offered to give concessions, did not require planning permissions, and said Kylie had “nothing to worry about” and “it’s not the place they want to target”.

“This is a revenue grab. They’re opening a business case to target everyone with a shipping container in the area,” she said.

“There are tens of thousands of shipping containers in the Gympie region, are they going to breach them all?”

The situation has taken a significant toll on Kylie’s mental and physical health, yet continues to provide vital services, prepare for seminars for returning veterans, and participate in national discussions on veteran reforms.

The situation has taken a significant toll on Kylie’s mental and physical health, yet she continues to provide vital services, prepare for seminars for returning veterans, and participate in national discussions on veteran reforms.

“If I had all the money in the world, I’d just buy time,” she said. “I’ve worked my entire life for this home, but now I’m at risk of losing everything.

“Councils work for us — I’m paying them for a service, but instead, they’re trying to destroy what we’ve built.”

Kylie is determined to fight back and plans to attend the next council meeting on January 22 and launch a petition to rally community support.

“We need community advocacy right now. Kindness matters, we can change the world with kindness,” she said.

“This council is a snake in the grass, but I’m not going to let them crush us.”

“This council is a snake in the grass, but I’m not going to let them crush us.”

Her ultimate hope is for Veterans Retreat to continue providing refuge for those in need while holding Gympie Council accountable.

As Veterans Retreat fights for survival, Kylie’s story serves as a reminder of the crucial role grassroots organisations play in addressing issues like homelessness among veterans.

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Gympie Regional Council has been contacted for comment.