Southern Downs Regional Council calls on Queensland government to halt sale of Camp Leslie Dam

A Southern Downs recreational facility that has sat vacant for years could be key to providing emergency accommodation for families suffering the effects of a lack of affordable housing in the region, as reports of homelessness grow. More here.

The sale of a Southern Downs recreation facility has come to a halt in a bid from council to mitigate the growing homeless population.

Owned by the Queensland government, Camp Leslie Dam was intended to be listed for sale this month, after initially being offered to Southern Downs Regional Council for its consideration in February 2021.

Camp Leslie Dam was a former school recreation site leased by YMCA Brisbane, which hosted school groups at the sprawling location that featured more than 200 beds, kitchen facilities and outdoor activities such as kayaking, abseiling and archery.

However the site has been unused since its lease ended in 2020 after the impacts of Covid saw the lease surrendered and an independent review deemed the facility no longer viable as a recreational camp.

Camp Leslie recreational site has sat dormant since YMCA Brisbane's lease ended in October 2020. Photo: Google Maps

At the ordinary council meeting on April 19, a motion was put forward by councillor Joel Richters to pause the sale while council considered its position on the potential use of the facility.

Mr Richters’ motion addressed the growing homelessness issue across the Southern Downs region, an issue that was originally brought to council’s attention by Warwick State High School.

An issue Mr Richters has continued to advocate for prior to being sworn in as a councillor for the region, writing to both former mayor Vic Pennisi and Minister for Sport and Tourism in February regarding the use of Camp Leslie.

In a video posted on Mr Richters Facebook page in February, he addressed the response from Mr Pennisi which essentially indicated the previous council wasn’t interested in taking on the Leslie Dam camp site.

Mr Richters told Warwick Daily News the abandoned camp site at Leslie Dam was something that had sat in the back of his mind for quite some time.

“It was pushed to the forefront of my mind when I came to learn of families living rough in our region,” he said.

“The homelessness situation (in the Southern Downs) has become far worse and I’m now hearing reports daily of families and individuals living in cars or temporary shelter.”

Warwick Daily News reached out to the Department of Education in relation to the reports, with a spokesman advising the department doesn’t centrally collate data on the number of students or families that may be homeless or have no fixed address.

“Warwick State High School, along with other schools, implements targeted responses and supports to students and families in these situations, as well as ensuring they are connected with relevant agencies for support,” the spokesman said.

“Families struggling with any education related costs are encouraged to speak to the school in the first instance.

“Principals, in consultation with the school community, make informed decisions about any resources and programs that are best suited to meet the needs of the school.”

The cost of living is hurting families across the region as local not-for-profit organisations are becoming stretched as the increase in demand of their supports continues to grow.

During the mention of the motion at the April meeting, council’s chief executive Dave Burges advised after recent discussions with state government representatives the sale had been put on hold.

A procedural motion was put forward by councillor Ross Bartley to have the matter lay on the table until a relevant condition report could be prepared by Mr Burges.

Mr Bartley, Morwenna Harslett, Sarah Deane, Sheryl Windle, Carla Pidgeon, Cynthia McDonald and Russell Wantling voted in favour of the motion while Mr Richters and mayor Hamilton voted against.

Ms Hamilton with councillor Joel Richters at Glengallan

Ms Hamilton commended Mr Richters for his advocacy on behalf of the Southern Downs families experiencing difficulty in accessing affordable housing in the region.

A Southern Downs Regional Council spokesman later told Warwick Daily News a business case would also be required in relation to the potential benefits and costs if council was to progress this initiative.

The SDRC spokesman confirmed the recreation facility has been vacant since October 31, 2020 and that no further action was taken by council when the potential use of the facility was discussed during a meeting in 2021.

In a statement to Warwick Daily News from the Department of Tourism and Sport, a spokesman advised an independent review had been completed after the lease to the facility was surrendered in October 2020.

“The future of the Leslie Dam Active Recreation Centre has been carefully considered since it closed in October 2020 when the lease was surrendered, and an independent review concluded the ageing centre was no longer viable as a recreation camp,” the spokesman said.

“As part of these considerations the Department has, and continues to, meet regularly with Southern Downs Regional Council to discuss the future of the site.”