City accused of taking six months to remove aggressive homeless despite woman being bashed

Southport residents have claimed they faced an extraordinary litany of violence, public urination and drug use from vagrants camped at a park as council failed to act.

Southport residents say they were confronted with six months of violence and abuse from drug-fuelled vagrants in one of the Gold Coast’s elite parks as council failed to act.

Councillor Brooke Patterson has blamed the City’s failure to respond on cutbacks to key staffers dealing with the homeless crisis.

Ms Patterson is being supported by residents as she faces an investigation after tensions surfaced with a staffer about cleaning up James Overell Park, which fronts the Nerang River.

Emails sent from frustrated regular park users to council during 2024 provided these warnings:

* A woman had sustained a broken nose after being attacked by two males who stole her car.

* Public urination and “semi-nudity” was occurring daily as vagrants refused to use toilets.

* Women on early morning walks became “anxious” after abuse, swearing and intimidation by men visiting a long term female vagrant living in a boat.

* Filth was left on the river embankment so the beach area could not be accessed.

* Drug use and utensils were scattered around camp sites, including a needle which became embedded in the foot of a dog.

A needle found at James Overell Park in Southport near a homeless camp.

Residents continue to write to council supporting Ms Patterson, who is being investigated by the Office of Independent Assessor after a complaint by a former City employee.

Ms Patterson has admitted she was “rude” with a former staffer, but said she had to stand up for residents on what became a safety issue.

Resident Yvette Halvorsen said she and other regular park users complained to council and police about the open drug use by homeless people in the park.

A homeless camp which took six months for the council to remove at James Overell Park in Southport.

“They were literally sitting there sniffing aerosol cans. We found needles. We put so many bongs in the bins it was ridiculous,” she said.

“We were begging them (the council) to do something. There’s a children’s playground there. They (the homeless) were peeing on the beach. It was outrageous.

“It went on for so long. Brooke was good but no-one at council wanted to know about it.”

Ms Patterson told the Bulletin she had concerns about staffing issues which were later addressed.

A homeless camp at James Overell Park in Southport which took council six months to remove.

“As part of the restructure, we did lose three levels of staff from the EGM (executive general manager) down with experience in this area,” she said.
“Our officers on the ground are still there and do an excellent job. However, without the senior leadership on this very complex and delicate area, our capabilities were diminished. “Even the head of Homelessness Connect reached out to me and then the CEO to raise her concerns about the stark change in the City’s capabilities and approach.

“The issues with the handling of the James Overell Park situation were recognised and staff changes made.”

Another park user said the complaint against Ms Patterson should be dropped.

“Others and I at the park regularly made phone calls, sent emails and photos to council, as well as Division 6,” she said.

A homeless camp at James Overell Park in Southport which took council six months to remove.

“After six months, everyone with the possible exception of the PLO (public liaison officer) officers and senior council worker involved in this situation were frustrated with the lack of action by the Gold Coast Council.”

In a letter to council the resident said she believed the investigation against Ms Patterson was “spiteful” and a waste of ratepayer money.

CBD unit owner Chris Pointing has in the past week reached out to Ms Patterson, Southport MP Rob Molhoek and Premier David Crisafulli about the homeless crisis.

He said the “vagrant street people” venturing into Southport Mall were dangerous.

“People are harassed and spat on, while these street people seem invincible to the police who are handcuffed by the lack of law. They frequently urinate and defecate wherever they like,” he said.

A City spokesperson said council understood the concerns of the community regarding the issue, but homelessness was a matter for the state government.

Council had no powers to remove people who were sleeping rough from public spaces, the spokesperson added.

“Since the organisational restructure, the City has maintained the same level of staff employed to deliver services to the community and there has been no change to the City’s policy approach to assisting in the management of homelessness,” the spokesperson said.

“Despite homelessness being a city-wide issue, similar concerns have not been raised by other councillors and the James Overell Park issue has been resolved.”

Follow @PaulWestonGC