Police unable to act on Capalaba squatter nightmare

The tragic effect of Queensland’s housing crisis has hit business owners in one community, who say they have safety concerns after a squatter blocking parts of their complex refused help and met them with aggression.

A Redland salon owner, who is no stranger to tragedy striking her business, has shared her latest battle after a squatter moved in.

A Redland salon owner, who is no stranger to tragedy, has shared her latest battle after a squatter moved in last week and refused assistance or to leave, virtually blocking access to parts of their business.

Emma Hayes launched C’ba Hair at Capalaba in 2015 and has since become one of the area’s leading stylists despite her first salon tragically going up in flames in 2021.

One morning this month Miss Hayes opened shop to discover a woman had taken outside the back of her salon with furniture, personal belongings, using sheets to cover the area at the rear of the complex.

Miss Hayes said she initially tried handling the situation with kindness.

“I tried talking to her to see if we could find her a shelter,” Miss Hayes said,but instead Ms Hayes said she was met with aggression.

Landlords have helped seal off the area to prevent access.

“Some of my staff are really young and their safety and my customers’ safety is what is most important.

“We are really frightened of retaliation as she doesn’t want help.”

Redland homeless charity Night Ninjas board member Pam Tranter said the issue of homelessness has increased dramatically over the past few years.

“We provide meals to those in needs at various parks in the Redlands and when we started eight years ago there would be ten people at each free dinner event, this has now more than doubled,” Mrs Tranter said.

“The cost of living crisis has forced families to choose between feeding their children and paying their electricity bills.

“There are more than 200 homeless people in Redlands at any one time.

“People are left with no option but to sleep in parks, community halls and behind closed shops,” she said.

Miss Hayes said two days after the woman moved in, “she had moved signs, furniture and sheets up to barricade herself in,” she said.

Queensland Police were contacted immediately and were able to remove her from the premises but the next morning, Wednesday March 13, she returned.

Owner of C'ba Hair Emma Hayes.

Neighbouring business My Local Vet said on Sunday afternoon their CCTV cameras had been interfered with by the same woman and the entrance to their business was filled with litter and the woman’s personal belongings.

A staff member said there were growing concerns for the safety of their mostly female staff.

“The person climbed on the roof and was trying to turn our security cameras round or break them,” she said.

Owner of neighbouring business Sure Thing Collective Romona Saeheng said the woman was “confronting”.

“They were jumping around and appeared to be cutting something,” Ms Saeheng said.

“We shouldn’t be fearful for our safety at the businesses we have put our life savings into,” Ms Saeheng said.

Rubbish left outside My Local Vet at Capalaba.

A police spokesman said officers spoke to the 52-year-old woman on March 11.

“Homelessness is not a criminal offence, and the Queensland Police Service does not remove rough sleepers,” a police spokesman said.

“Should a criminal offence be detected, however, officers will take appropriate action.

“The landlord has since taken crime prevention measures to enclose the alcove and officers have offered further advice around installing ‘No Trespass’ signs.

“We are always concerned for the safety and wellbeing of all people in our community which includes the most vulnerable.”

A squatter has taken over the back of the salon with her belongings.

No one has been charged.

Miss Hayes said she has worked hard for her entire life to build her business.

“Customers are only able to use our front car park for their safety and after she leaves we’ll be left with clearing faeces from where she has been,” she said.