Emotional scenes homeless evicted from camp in Moreton Bay

A woman “hiding” from a domestic violence perpetrator was one of several residents evicted from a Moreton Bay homeless camp on Monday, after a review raised serious health concerns.

Several residents at a City of Moreton Bay homeless camp have been evicted, with one final standing resident claiming she was yet to secure social housing despite “hiding” from a domestic violence perpetrator.

The Gayundah Coastal Arboretum site at Woody Point was officially closed off to public access Monday morning, with homeless who had set up camp moved on by local council.

Police and other services were called in to assist the homeless vacate the campsite on Monday. Picture: Josh Woning

It comes after a review into the homeless camp raised serious health concerns, with residents given seven days to vacate after “human waste” and “drug paraphernalia” found at the site.

By 9am Monday fencing was placed around the site by the local council and police, with remaining residents forced to take only their important belongings and leave immediately.

None of the campers is charged with any criminal wrongdoing.

Three residents remained when council arrived, with full set-ups including tents, bicycles, tables and other belongings the only signs of the once full camp.

One woman, who cannot be named in order to protect her identity, said she was anxious to leave the camp where she had been living for the last six months as she had a domestic violence order against another and had not secured social housing.

Residents had been given seven days to leave.

Pictures: Josh Woning

“I’m feeling very overwhelmed, I’ve actually moved all my personal stuff out but it’s sad to see,” she said.

“Housing was supposed to have a suitable housing for myself and ... my dog and they haven’t come up with one.

“Apparently they’ll be down here sometime today so I’ll go speak to them once again, otherwise, I don’t have anywhere to go.

“This roof was my only safe place.”

The campsite on Monday. Picture: Josh Woning

Another resident, who wished to be referred to as “Toothpick”, said he felt local council should have done more.

“We knew it wasn’t forever here, but they could have done a bit more than give us an eviction notice,” he said.

Police and other services pictured assisting the homeless vacating their campsite at the Gayndah Coastal Arboretum in Woody Point, Brisbane 17th February 2025. (Image/Josh Woning)

“I’ve got housing in Caboolture ... but others will probably have to go to another park.”

Local residents watched on from the fence line, with many happy to see the site regenerated by council, with some even calling the state of the park “a disgrace”.

A council notice at the site said remediation works, expected to take six months, would start this week. Picture: Josh Woning

Derek Caterall, who resides across the road from the camp, said council were three years too late.

“They (state government) they should make the laws to look after these people, give them housing, emergency housing”.

Residents had expressed disgust at the state of the campsite. Picture: Josh Woning

By Monday afternoon work had commenced on the regeneration, however the remaining belongings which scattered much of the site had not yet been removed.

Q Shelter acting CEO Jackson Hills said the current situation at Woody Point was complex and challenging, proving once again the severe undersupply of housing support in Queensland communities.

The eviction comes after a review of the campsite at the Gayndah Coastal Arboretum raised serious health concerns. Picture: Josh Woning

“We understand that crisis or emergency housing has been offered to all the people currently residing at the parkland, but also that some emergency housing arrangements are not always appropriate for everyone seeking shelter,” he said.

“That means that not everyone will be able to relocate from the site to a sustainable housing outcome, and it’s imperative support continues to be offered to those people,” Mr Hills said.

He said once specific policy changes were made in one council location, the impact is often felt in another – moving it around the region.

Police at the site as residents pack up to leave. Picture: Josh Woning

“It demonstrates why a regional approach is required to address homelessness and rough sleeping where everyone is brought together to solve the problem – local councils, state government agencies and the relevant support services.”

A City of Moreton Bay Council spokesperson said all campers at the site had been offered housing, with support people working with them over the past week to ensure wrap around services were provided.

They said the closure and remediation works were required due to serious public health and safety concerns.

Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway said it was not safe for people to be residing in the conditions at Gayundah Arboretum Park, nor for the community to continue to use the public space.

“All people camping at the site have been offered accommodation by the State Government’s Department of Housing,” she said.

“I am pleased to hear that many of the campers at this public site have taken up the State’s offer of housing however we are also aware that a number have chosen not to.

“As Gayundah Arboretum Park is closed to all public from today, I would urge people to accept these offers of accommodation.”