Residents living near North Lakes fatal home invasion demand transparency over housing for juveniles

Angry neighbours of Emma Lovell, who was killed in a home invasion, are demanding answers over why they were not told about a house for juveniles operating in their suburb.

Neighbours of killed mother-of-two Emma Lovell are demanding answers over why they were not informed a government-funded house for juveniles was operating in their suburb.

About 50 residents took part in the Action for Emma community meeting, organised by the Concerned Neighbourhood Safety Group, on Thursday afternoon shortly after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a suite of new laws in the wake of Ms Lovell’s death.

Concerned neighbours of the Lovell family at a community meeting on Thursday. Picture: John Gass

The house, which provides “supported independent living” for children under 16, is located on the same street where Emma Lovell was allegedly murdered during a home invasion on Monday night.

At least one of the teenagers charged with Ms Lovell’s murder is linked to the house.

Her husband Lee Lovell told A Current Affair he was shocked to learn the home was in their neighbourhood, saying “I just thought it was families who lived in this area”.

Concerned neighbours of the Lovell family at a community meeting on Thursday. Picture: John Gass

Resident Emma Dunst said the community felt that they had been left to fend for themselves when it came to their safety.

“Come and talk to us, explain to us what you’re doing and what the house is actually being used for,” she said.

“Why were these (youths) put together in a house … we want to understand what they’re doing.”

Concerned neighbours of the Lovell family at a community meeting on Thursday. Picture: John Gass

Meeting organisers called for the immediate disbandment of the supported independent living house. They have also reached out to service provider Mercy Community and were yet to receive a response. Resident John Marshall called for the service provider to meet with them.

“As a community I think we have a right to know … we didn’t know these people were there, we have a right to know who our children could walk across the street and run into,” he said.

Concerned neighbours of the Lovell family at a community meeting on Thursday. Picture: John Gass