‘I’m so scared’: Alleged squatters make life hell for Cairns resident

Shaking visibly and with tears pouring down her face, a Cairns public housing resident has implored police to remove alleged squatters she says are violent and threatening.

ALLEGED squatters at a public housing unit complex are making life hell for a long-time resident with a disability.

Michelle Dean, who has severe epilepsy, has lived in her Manunda unit for 10 years and doesn’t want to have to leave – but says she is in fear.

Ms Dean said squatters or unauthorised tenants had moved into two units in the complex, putting a tent up in the backyard of one unit.

She said she had been threatened with violence, and has called police in the past.

“Last night it was like punching a boxing bag, bang, bang, bang on my door,” Ms Dean said.

She said one elderly resident was in hospital and squatters had taken over her unit.

“They say ‘come out here, I’m going to bash you, I’m going to smash the window’”, a visibly shaken Ms Dean said.

Michelle Dean is terrified she could be harmed by squatters she says have taken over two units at the public housing complex. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I am scared,” she said.

“I rang the police and said ‘if you don’t come now I know I’m going to get hurt, because they’ve threatened me’.

“I was on the ground, real scared, the lady on the phone was gorgeous and kept me on the phone until police arrived.”

Ms Dean said police arrived within 10 minutes and dealt with the situation but the alleged squatters weren’t removed from the premises – and as soon as officers left, the fracas resumed.

“As soon as the police left they started screaming and threatening me, I was crying – I don’t know what to do, police aren’t go to do anything and (the Department of) Housing won’t help.

“I would like them to go, they need to go,” she said.

Ms Dean said another elderly resident confined to a wheelchair had vacated her unit because of the problem.

“My niece wants me to stay at her place, but I’ve got my cat,” she said.

Her door is broken and she said a request to the Department of Housing for a security screen door was refused.

Michelle Dean is terrified she could be harmed by squatters she says have taken over two units at the public housing complex. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Dean started a garden at the complex, but said she was too afraid to leave her unit to tend to plants.

A Cairns police spokesman confirmed police had been called to the address.

He said the Department of Housing said they had no advice of squatters.

“No offences have been committed and there are no squatters at this residence,” the spokesman said, adding that police had spoken with Ms Dean and provided further advice to assist her.

A Department of Housing spokeswoman said the department had zero tolerance for criminal behaviour or other illegal activity from tenants or visitors and anyone who witnessed any illegal activity should report it to police.

“The department can advise we have taken steps to ensure the property and tenancy are secured and supported,” she said.

“Anyone who believes squatters are occupying a social housing property should report this to their local Housing Service Centre so the matter can be investigated.”

Cairns Regional Council Division Councillor Max O’Halloran said although the situation seemed dreadful, it was not something council had any power over.

“Council has got no power – of course the first thing you want to do is help, but Ms Dean should be ringing the police and making reports, and ringing the Department of Housing or the body corporate,” Cr O’Halloran said.

Originally published as ‘I’m so scared’: Alleged squatters make life hell for Cairns resident