Councillor Grant Mathers’ proposal receives support from rough sleeper

Council is investigating a specific area for Rockhampton’s homeless and the costs to ratepayers to maintain it. VIDEO

Rockhampton local Rodney Graham is one of many residents sleeping rough.

Disconnected from many creature comforts, he was oblivious to the talk in council about investigating the idea of creating a ‘Place of Last Resort’ for the homeless, and that a motion to allow council officers to begin exploring possibilities was passed.

It would mean most of Rockhampton’s homeless population would find themselves living together in a designated area with running water, toilets and rubbish collection.

Rockhampton Regional Councillor Grant Mathers’ plan would see homeless people moved from locations like Kershaw Gardens and under the riverbanks of the Fitzroy to a location with amenities.

Mr Graham is supportive of the proposal.

“I think (the homeless community) would say yes to a ‘Last Resort’,” he said.

“(It’s a struggle living) without power, a shower, roof, a bed, cooking.

There is a population of homeless people living on Rockhampton’s northside in and around Kershaw Gardens.

The motion was supported by all councillors with the exception of Mayor Tony Williams and Cr Shane Latcham.

Deputy Mayor Drew Wickerson was absent from the meeting and therefore did not take part in the vote.

Cr Mathers did not mince his words and said that the situation regarding homelessness in Rockhampton was getting worse.

“I acknowledge this motion will not solve the housing and homeless crisis but it is a way for us as local government to show compassion and support to the most vulnerable members of our community,” he said.

The remains of the homeless camp in Kershaw Gardens on March 25 - all tents and occupants are gone.

“In September last year we (council) were provided with the following information; 114 people were defined as homeless in the Rockhampton local government area,” he said.

“Of those 114, 10 were defined as “sleeping rough”.

“As of yesterday (March 24, 2025) community service providers estimate the number of people sleeping rough to be more than 50. Councillors, that’s a 50 per cent increase in just six months.”

Rockhampton Councillor Grant Mathers has proposed a ‘Place of Last Resort’ for rough sleepers.

Cr Mathers’ Place of Last Resort would entail an area in which those sleeping rough would be able to stay together in an area with running water, showers and electricity.

One community service provider has backed it because it would mean travelling to one location rather than travelling around Rockhampton.

However, Rockhampton’s leading homelessness sector service body urged councillors not to support Cr Mathers’ proposal.

Central Queensland Housing and Homelessness Alliance chair Fabian Webber said any policy that involved “concentrating people into one area is a recipe for long-term pain and will not provide any solution to our homeless population or our community”.

Cr Mathers’ proposal would see the area away from residential properties but close to public transport.

In discussions, Cr Edward Oram said council had to do something about the homeless situation.

“The people who are living rough at the moment are also probably hurting our town as a whole through tourism and economics especially where they set themselves up in our major parks like Kershaw, the Information Centre,” he said.

“I think there is certainly something we probably have to do so we can keep our areas safe from needles and continue being an area where people feel safe to be around.”

A homeless camp at Kershaw Gardens photographed on September 20 in 2024.

Cr Williams however spoke against the motion citing a lack of details, the fact that homelessness was an issue dealt with at a state and federal level and that there could be an issue with lawlessness within the Place of Last Resort.

He likened it to a “free caravan park” and also brought up the issue of costs.

“There is no budget figure mentioned and as we have seen in previous workshop that there are hundreds of thousands of dollars that would be provided in those services that are mentioned in the motion and also operational costs,” the Mayor said.

“We haven’t seen these costs and we are being asked to support a motion and the only way we would be able to cover costs would be to increase rates.

Cr Williams said council was working with the top two levels of government to address the homeless situation already.

“I just remind councillors that we rely on our ratepayers for funding. For every $100 that the federal and state governments receive, council only receives $3 back and this is taking on another role that is predominantly being undertaken by federal and state government.”

Cr Mathers said the reason behind the lack of details is because there was no location yet.

“If we decided X place versus Y place the costs could be completely different,” he said.

“If the motion is passed we can work through those roadblocks.”

Cr Cherie Rutherford also joined Cr Mathers in pushing for the motion to be passed.

A homeless camp at Kershaw Gardens photographed on September 20, 2024.

“This motion just asks for an opportunity to investigate whether or not we can find a site that will allow us to house these people with some dignity, with some services,” she said.

“It is about will to want to.”

Cr Rutherford also brought up that it is often up to council staff to ask the homeless to move on knowing full well that there is no place to move on to.

“I think we have a duty of care to our staff that are being forced to do that. I think we have a duty of care to our staff that are having to clean up all over the place from what is being left behind,” she said.

Most Rockhampton councillors agreed at a meeting at City Hall to seek further information about a ‘Place of Last Resort’. Photo: Chris Ison / The Morning Bulletin

Though Cr Rutherford conceded the state and federal governments are already trying to address the issue of homelessness, she said until the issue is solved council needed to step up.

“In the interim let us give these people some dignity, some safety, and some security until they find a roof over their head,” she said.

Though the motion has passed, it is still only the first step with council officers now to beginning exploring various possible locations for the Place of Last Resort.

Regardless of where it may be, one potential resident has already indicated he will be seeking accommodation there.

“Yeah I reckon I would,” Mr Graham said.