LNP will move homeless out of inner-city highrise
The LNP says it will not renew a controversial lease deal which has seen 300 vulnerable homeless people move in to an inner-city student highrise, if it wins the October state election.
Local
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Shadow Housing Minister Michael Hart says the LNP will not extend a lease over a Toowong highrise being used to accommodate up to 300 vulnerable people during the lockdown.
The lease deal, quietly announced by Housing Minister Mick de Brenni on Easter Friday, without any consultation of residents or local politicians, has angered many neighbours.
A police online crime map shows offences such as public urination, wilful exposure and drunkenness have surged up to 420 per cent since people were moved from hostels at West End and Spring Hill.
The Department insists the $6.6 million deal over the Atira Glen Rd student highrise — equivalent to $460 a week per person — was necessary as social distancing was impossible at the hostels.
But Mr Hart said he sympathised with the concerns and anxiety felt by residents throughout the neighbourhood.
“With Labor rushing to relocate the residents of boarding houses in Spring Hill and West End to the Atira building, it appears they failed to ensure necessary support services on the ground,’’ Mr Hart said.
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“Coupled with their lack of any consultation with the local community and failure to provide advance notifications of what could be expected, this has caused understandable negative reactions in the area.
“It is understood the Labor Government intends to make a decision on extending the lease around October.
“The LNP does not support an extension of the lease. It is clear this housing plan has been rushed through by Labor from the start and as a result, local residents are seriously concerned.
“If elected on October 31, the LNP will look to relocate these residents into social housing accommodation, with the necessary facilities and support services appropriate to their circumstances.’’
The LNP candidate for the local state seat of Maiwar, Lauren Day, said she met with Mr Hart recently to raise the concerns of Toowong residents who had contacted her about anti-social behaviour.
“We visited the outside of Atira and also spoke to concerned locals,’’ Mrs Day said.
“This is a serious failure of the Labor government.
“I want locals to know I am taking their concerns very seriously. I’ve already spoken to hundreds of concerned residents.
“I am working really hard to get more police resources in Toowong and ensure community safety for everyone.
“The LNP believes in the need for social housing but it must be done with appropriate resources and consultation.”
She has launched an e-petition calling for a permanent police beat at Toowong Village Shopping Centre, to help deal with the crime surge.
Mrs Day has also organised a public crime forum at the nearby Regatta Hotel on July 23, from 6pm.
Shadow Police Minister Dan Purdie and Shadow Attorney-General David Janetzki will also attend.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, places are limited and those wishing to attend should RSVP at:
maiwar@lnpq.org.au or text/phone Mrs Day on 0480 246 804.
A Housing Department spokesman said “everyone deserves a safe, secure and sustainable place to call home’’.
“This has never been more important than during the COVID-19 health crisis,’’ he said.
“The Atira building is being used to house some of the State’s most vulnerable people who are particularly at risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
“The department is committed to getting Queensland’s vulnerable people off the streets and ultimately into permanent housing.
“No decision on whether the lease will be extended will be made until closer to end of lease date and will take into consideration all relevant factors at that time, particularly those relating to the health crisis.
“Earlier this month the Department met with all relevant service providers and Maiwar MP Michael Berkman to discuss how the new residents are settling in, with all stakeholders committing to working together to support the local community.’’
Mr Berkman said Toowong locals would “really appreciate some clarity’’ from the State Government on when, and how, it would move the Atira residents into longterm and secure social housing.
“In the meantime I’m focussed on finding collaborative ways to address the local challenges and ensure the new residents have the support services they need,’’ he said.
“Last week I organised and attended a meeting with local body corporate representatives and the four service providers at Atira, where we worked on ways to address the community’s concerns and heard about the great outcomes for most of the Atira residents.
“It’s a shame this issue has been so politicised, when what the community really needs is not more hyper-partisanship but open consultation, clarity and long-term planning.
“I’m glad we’ve been able to keep these folks out of unsafe housing or even on the street, which is the alternative - this is a positive short-term solution but it’s clear that long-term, secure social housing is unavailable due to years of underfunding.
“It’s encouraging to hear the LNP getting on board with social housing, and I’m hoping they’ll support the Greens’ Jobs and Homes Plan to create 20,000 jobs per year building well-designed, sustainable social homes.”