No visitors allowed, 24/7 security at homeless highrise site

The State Government has letterboxed Toowong residents to reassure them there will be eight staff and around-the-clock security to monitor a highrise housing needy people.

THE State Government has delayed moving 300 needy people from hostels in Spring Hill and West End to a Toowong student highrise, and letterboxed residents to allay their security fears.

A flyer distributed this week said eight on-site staff, including 24 hour-a-day security, would monitor the residents, who could get into their rooms only with an access card and would not be allowed visitors.

The State Government says eight staff will monitor needy residents at the Atira Glen Rd highrise in Toowong. Picture: Richard Walker

Many of the services they needed would be provided on site.

“This is a critical health response to a community health emergency,’’ the flyer said.

“It’s another way to work together to help flatten the curve.

“We take the responsibility of being a good neighbour seriously.’’

The hostel residents were supposed to have been relocated just after the Easter long weekend after building owner Scape moved 280, mainly overseas, University of Queensland students to another of its highrises near the Regatta Hotel.

But the Housing Department plan still has not begun.

It comes as the Department letterboxed neighbours to reassure them after many called local politicians to express concerns.

A Toowong resident who lives close to Atira has also spoken out about a leaflet circulated last week which claimed the residents were “drug addicts, homeless and just out of prison’’.

She said many neighbours supported the Government plan and called for compassion.

Greens MP for the area, Michael Berkman, said he had spoken to Indooroopilly police who had told him crime was significantly down because of the pandemic, which would help them monitor the building.

Westside gets its first coronavirus respiratory clinic: and it’s free

US scientists detect coronavirus traces at Brisbane sewage plant

University of Qld fast tracks new nurses to help frontline staff

He responded to a suggestion in the leaflet that Toowong would become “Housing Commission’’ because of the plan — which involved leasing the highrise from Scape until January, with an option to extend for 12 months.

“This is not social housing, it’s supported accommodation facilitated by the Salvation Army, Mission Australia, St Vincent De Paul and BRIC Housing, who are helping residents with a variety of needs including the need for long-term housing.’’ Mr Berkman said.

“I absolutely support more social housing. Many locals aren’t aware that there’s already plenty of social housing in Toowong, Indooroopilly and Taringa.

“These residents are everyday people and should be treated with the same dignity as everyone else in the community.’’

Mr Berkman said he had been frustrated by the lack of openness from the Housing Department, which quietly announced the plan on Good Friday without consulting him or the LNP’s Walter Taylor Councillor, James Mackay.

He said he was still chasing the Department for more detail on the kind of support services that would be provided on site, more detail on the security arrangements and its long-term plans for the site.

However, the Government flyer said there would be regular health and wellbeing checks on residents.

“There will be a health check prior to taking up residence,’’it read.

“Secure card access will be required to get in and out of the building with restrictions on floor access and a no visitors policy.

“A strong set of house rules will be enforced to support social distancing requirements as we battle COVID-19 together.’’

The neighbour told Westside News she was appalled at the sentiments in the newsletter, circulated over a week ago.

“The newsletter that was circulated had a very unpleasant and insensitive tone,’’ she said.

“So much for all the kindness people are expected to show to each other at the moment.

“The building is on a main road and many of the buildings around it have their own security.

“If there are any ex-prisoners, well, they have paid their dues to society.

“We’re talking about people’s lives here, and these people need somewhere to live.’’