Townsville’s Happy Valley residents stand firm as government moves to relocate them
Indigenous residents living in Happy Valley say they’ll be standing their ground in the face of attempts by the state government to relocate people and close the community.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Indigenous residents living in Happy Valley say they’ll be standing their ground in the face of attempts by the state government to relocate people and close the community.
The Queensland Government is in the process of trying to close down the Happy Valley community near Townsville airport and relocate residents despite the adamant wishes of many who wish to remain in their homes.
For decades Happy Valley has been a place where Indigenous residents can camp and feel safe living in tents and sheds in the scrub off Old Common Road, Belgian Gardens.
While the valley is located on Local Government Reserve land owned by Townsville council, it’s currently being managed by the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DSDSATSIP), which wants to relocate residents.
A Department spokesman said they had already rehoused two people, and they were engaging with four others to find “more suitable accommodation.”
“The current temporary accommodation at Happy Valley is not sustainable, nor was it meant to be a long-term housing option,” he said.
“Once all original residents of the temporary structures are adequately placed in suitable accommodation, access to all utilities at Happy Valley will cease.”
But residents like Whanjullah Imbala (Jai) said the area had important spiritual and cultural significance, and they didn’t want to leave.
“I came in to help hold this place because it’s connected to a bigger dreaming and song line that connects many tribal areas right across the lands here,” he said.
“We’ll do anything to stand our ground here as we think it’s one of the last frontiers in our sovereign battle to take back our independent living.
“What we want to do here is create a safe and culturally appropriate space for community members to enjoy.”
Townsville mayor Jenny Hill said she was “disappointed” to see DSDSATSIP was looking to clear out Happy Valley given the ongoing housing crisis.
She’s calling on them to work with the council to redevelop the area instead.
“Bulldozing it isn’t going to solve these problems, it’s only going to make things worse,” she said.
“I would love to see this area developed and turned into a safe place where people can stay and drink if they want to, where services can come and engage with them.”
“I’m disappointed they are doing this in light of what’s happening at Dean Park.
“People that frequent the parks would be safer in a place like Happy Valley, but they need to fund proper facilities.”
Whanjullah said that compared to living on the street or in parks, Happy Valley offered a safer place and a sense of community.
“We have families coming and going here all the time on a regular basis, coming down when it’s wet and things like that to get a bit of shelter,” he said.
“Some are just sick of being cooped up inside a house and want to come out and sit on a piece of country.”
Some residents are growing their own vegetables and working to become self sustainable.
“For many years, we’ve heard all the plans. They’ve been trying to move us, but we’re not moving,” one long-term resident said.
“They can bring the bulldozers down here. We’re not moving.”
Gubil Fred said he opted to move to Happy Valley in a bid to connect back to country.
“We want to stay here because we need a place for all our mob to come to,” he said.
“The land is lost without its people.”
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said he supports DSDSATSIP efforts to secure “suitable housing” for the Happy Valley residents.
The land adjacent to Happy Valley is unallocated state land managed by Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) within the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.
The EDQ currently has a contract to sell its land holding adjacent to Happy Valley to Royal Flying Doctor Service for a new $40 million “super hub” facility.
The Gurambilbarra Wulgurukaba people are the recognised claimants of this land.
More Coverage
Originally published as Townsville’s Happy Valley residents stand firm as government moves to relocate them
KAP slams LNP for ‘misleading’ ad, ignites showdown on crime
The KAP deputy leader has launched another fierce attack on the LNP, accusing them of ‘grossly misleading’ voters with a political ad claiming the Katters can’t be trusted on crime.
Read more
‘Quirky’ independent bookstore transforms fantasy into reality
Bookworms and fans of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance are being attracted like a tractor beam into a independent bookstore that just opened in Townsville. See where.
Read more