Highrise’s controversial homeless lease won’t be renewed
A decision has been made on the State Government’s controversial deal to house homeless people in an upmarket Toowong highrise.
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The Housing Department will not renew a lease deal to accommodate vulnerable people in a student highrise in Toowong in Brisbane’s inner west.
The deal, struck with multinational student accommodation provider Scape at its Atira Glen Rd building, has caused huge ructions among nearby residents.
They have complained of a surge in petty crimes, public urination, drug deals, abuse, littering and other problems.
The Government was expected to make an announcement next month on whether it would exercise an option to extend its lease, which ends in January.
But Greens MP for the area, Michael Berkman, today announced he had been notified that the lease would not be renewed.
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“I have just received confirmation from the Housing Minister (Mick de Brenni) that the lease for supported crisis accommodation at the Atira building on Glen Rd, Toowong, will not be renewed after it expires in January 2021,’’ Mr Berkman said.
“I am meeting with the site’s service providers and Department representatives today to discuss plans to transition Atira residents into long-term, secure social housing.
“As most locals will know, the decision to temporarily house vulnerable people in Toowong during COVID-19 has been a significant change for the neighbourhood, and I think for some residents this news and the certainty it provides will be a relief.
“It is a shame that for the past few months the LNP have politicised this issue and exploited residents for electoral gain.
“I have heard from many locals, some of whom have been impacted by the poor behaviour of a small minority of Atira residents and visitors.
“By and large our community has been incredibly patient, compassionate and understanding of the complexities of this situation.
“This was a positive short-term solution to keep folks safe and off the street, and from the very start my focus has been on securing a transition to long-term safe social housing.
“That will be the focus of my meeting today and in the future, because we cannot pretend that the problem ends here.’’
Mr Berkman’s LNP opponent in the local state seat of Maiwar, Lauren Day, who has campaigned strongly against the lease deal, lobbied for a police beat at nearby Toowong Village shopping centre to help deal with the public nuisance problems.
Mrs Day has circulated leaflets about the issue recently, accusing Mr Berkman of being “soft’’ on issues such as drug abuse.
Mr Berkman said he would continue to push for solutions to the state’s ballooning social housing wait list.
Mrs Day said the Palaszczuk Labor government completely ignored the community and only backed down after months of sustained pressure. “It should never have come to this,” she said.
“Up to 300 at-risk people should never have been placed into one building without community consultation or appropriate amenity.
“I have spent months campaigning to stop the lease extension and I’m glad Labor has finally listened to the LNP. Only the LNP has taken the concerns of the community seriously during this difficult time.”
She also said Atira was a Labor fail, and the Greens MP failed to take community safety concerns seriously.
“What’s important now is that community safety is restored and vulnerable residents are given accommodation that will achieve positive outcomes.”