Pinkenba homeless solution: Council hits ‘US-style trailer park’ plan
Brisbane City Council has accused the state government of expecting it to run the Pinkenba homeless hub as a “US-style trailer park”.
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The state government has been criticised for suggesting Brisbane City Council run the Pinkenba emergency accommodation site as a “US-style trailer park”, but the Housing Minister confirmed a separate proposal was sent to federal counterparts.
Revelations of a funding commitment of up to $10 million to convert the facility came after a critical meeting between Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon on Wednesday afternoon.
It is understood that following the meeting, Brisbane City Council refused to join the state government in a joint-proposal to finally make the site suitable for Queenslanders in need.
But Cr Schrinner said his defiance was based on his repeated insistence Pinkenba needed the adequate improvements made with the state government as the lead agency.
“They suggested we should start running US-style trailer parks, and that’s not something that council has ever done,” he said.
“It’s not something that we have an expertise in.
“The state government is responsible for crisis accommodation, and so we’re happy to support their efforts but it’s obvious they need to be the lead agency.”
The position was disputed by the state government, who said Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast have used caravan parks for crisis accommodation.
But Cr Schrinner said it was unrealistic to compare the facility with holiday parks used by councils for emergency housing.
“Pinkenba’s not a holiday park — you can’t compare the two things.”
But Ms Scanlon insisted the scale of the housing crisis meant all levels of government needed to pitch in.
“Everyone has a role to play in affordable housing,” she said.
The Courier-Mail was told Ms Scanlon’s letter to the federal government outlining its commitment to contribute up to $10 million to transform Pinkenba was sent late on Thursday afternoon.
Federal Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the government would welcome any ideas put forward by the state government for the Commonwealth-owned facility.
“As we have consistently said, we will consider any formal detailed proposal from the Queensland government for the future use of the Pinkenba centre,” she said in a statement to The Courier-Mail.
Cr Schrinner said council’s $1 million commitment combined with the up to $10 million pledge from the state government as well as Salvos offering to provide services to support the residents should be the “final piece in the jigsaw puzzle” to finally house Queenslanders in need.
“We need organisations that are prepared to work with government to make sure this can be delivered,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Having the Salvos put their hand up is just a wonderful thing — it is a really, really positive step forward. I think it’s the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle.”
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