Watch: Homeless tents demolished in Moreton Bay park

Homeless tents in a Moreton Bay park have been torn down on Wednesday afternoon as council marked camping on public land illegal. SEE THE VIDEO

Homeless tents in a Moreton Bay park have been torn down on Wednesday afternoon.

An excavator, several trucks and council workers were seen removing tents and personal belongings at Eddie Hyland Park in Lawnton after 12 people were issued a compliance notice telling them they were camping illegally.

Eight of them were previously issued the same notice and were given one hour to stop camping, while four of them were notified today.

This came after City of Moreton Bay amended their laws to ban people experiencing homelessness from camping on public land in March.

Homelessness charity Nourish Street Inc founder Beau Haywood said it was a heartbreaking scene.

“Some people’s homes are being ripped out from under them and the others are waiting to see who’s next,”

“I watched someone’s home — everything they had — turned to rubble today.

“I’m just really upset that this happened … I don’t normally swear, but this is f — k.”

Shane Mason was one of the homeless people camping at Eddie Highland Park, Lawnton, who was told to leave the area.

“Police and council (staff) came in and just told us, pretty much, we have an hour to get out or they’re just going to take our stuff and dump it,” Mr Mason told ABC Radio Brisbane.

“They had three dump trucks, [and an] excavator, so they can just get stuff thrown out like trash.”

Mr Mason said he was issued with a fine for failing to leave the area.

“We were supposed to be out by the seventh and then it was about an $800 fine and then if you don’t comply when it goes to court and all that stuff, it ends up being $8000,” he said.

Tent cities demolished at Moreton Bay.

Tent cities demolished at Moreton Bay.

A City of Moreton Bay spokesman said council officers acted on notices that were not complied with after providing a notification in excess of two weeks.

“Camping on public land, and the storing of goods on public land, contravenes the city council’s local laws and is therefore illegal for all people in City of Moreton Bay,” he said.

“Items that enable camping on public land, as well as items being stored on public land, were removed with consent. General discarded waste material including empty food packets and bags were also removed.

“Two of the sites cleared today were abandoned and surrounding rubbish removed. Due to the significant amount, and unsanitary nature of the rubbish, this could not be done by hand, so an excavator was used to ensure public health for council officers and members of the community was maintained.

“Council officers spoke to one individual and meticulously supported them with gathering their personal items. The occupant confirmed what was valuable and what items they did not wish to keep.”

The spokesman said the homeless people were offered an opportunity to be referred to specialist homelessness services and the Department of Housing and Public Works.

“It is disappointing that some advocates continue to subject the most vulnerable in our community to accept unsafe, makeshift shelters in public parks as a reasonable solution for homelessness,” he said.

“City of Moreton Bay and the broader community does not accept this as a way forward. Public spaces are not fit for habitation and people sleeping rough deserve secure accommodation.”