Enid St, Tweed Heads development site taken over by ‘junkies and squatters’ causing trouble near primary school

Syringes, smashed windows and filthy debris. Welcome to a prime Tweed development site, where “screaming junkies” have moved in metres from a primary school. See the photos and video.

Used syringes, smashed windows, graffiti and filthy debris – welcome to a prime development site in the heart of Tweed Heads, where “screaming junkies and squatters” have moved in metres from a Catholic primary school.

Residents have slammed the derelict Enid St site on the Queensland-NSW border, saying those breaking into the site have turned a number of empty dwellings into a “revolting eyesore”.

After “two years of hell” – they’ve had enough.

These derelict buildings in Enid St Tweed Heads are a haven for “junkies” and the homeless, and worst of all, sit just metres from a Catholic primary school. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Resident Louise Browne moved into an apartment across the road two weeks ago, copping a rude awakening seeing her neighbours for the first time.

“I had my sister over the other day and we heard screaming and swearing coming from one of the buildings. It’s quite concerning,” she said.

“It’s not only the fact the site is an eyesore but you’ve got junkies coming and going. Not very nice.

Resident Robyn Riley called the site “revolting”.

“We had letters saying the existing structures would be demolished but it hasn’t happened yet,” she said.

Residents are scared to walk past the site at night. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“It’s not safe. I don’t walk past at night because you never know who is hanging around. They had fencing put up but that’s since been smashed down by them (the homeless).

“I also feel unsafe in our underground carpark because they get in there and camp at night.”

Another resident has endured “two years of hell” living next door to the squalor.

Enid St business owner Sophie Vidler witnessed “multiple police call-outs” and “squatters hanging out of broken windows”.

These derelict buildings in Enid St Tweed Heads are a haven for drug addicts and the homeless, and worst of all sit between two primary schools, St Josephs and Tweed Heads Public School. Despite locals constantly complaining to Tweed Shire Council and the police, the problem still exists. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I’ve seen police rock up in the morning after cars had been set on fire overnight,” she said.

“I’m just grateful I’m here in the daytime.”

Ms Vidler said she was concerned about young students playing at the park next door.

It’s not yet clear if there’s been outreach attempts from authorities regarding emergency housing, mental health or substance abuse assistance.

The site, next to Bay Grand Apartments and Jack Chard Park and opposite St Joseph’s Primary School, is being developed by Gold Coast-based Heran Building Group.

A development application to build 110 apartments across two 11-storey buildings was rejected by the Northern Regional Planning Panel in July, leaving the site in limbo.

According to council documents, plans for the $60m project called the Quay Grand, were knocked back by the panel due to “unsatisfactory massing and modulation of buildings”, which would result in an “adverse impact on the streetscape”.

Picture: Glenn Hampson

A separate application to demolish the existing buildings was approved in July.

But developers are not sure whether the project is “financially viable”.

Heran Building Group’s Shane Heran said demolition delays were due to “outdated pricing”.

“We missed the boat with the demolition guys. The pricing we had was two years old and no one was going to hold that rate,” he said.

Picture: Glenn Hampson

“There’s other factors. At this stage, we still need to look at whether the project is financially viable.

“It cost us $100,000 alone just to remove asbestos in the existing buildings.”

Mr Heran said lawn mowing crews had “picked up needles” on the property.

A development application for the Quay Grand project was rejected by the Northern Regional Planning Panel in July, leaving the site in limbo. Picture: Supplied/Heran Group.

“We had another project up the road where a homeless guy was living under the sales office,” he said.

NSW Police was asked whether officers had attended the site, a spokesperson said: “We don’t provide statements for locations, we provide statements for incidents.”

NewsLocal was told a specific incident needed to be cited to receive any comment.

Comment has been sought from Tweed MP Geoff Provest.