Logan council faces backlash over complaints at second park used by homeless

Logan council has been accused of blocking the homeless from accessing a second park after toilets were locked and a gate installed.

Logan mayor Jon Raven said one toilet was shut at Tully Memorial park, pictured, after storm damage in January. Pictures: contributed

Charity workers claim Logan council has effectively blocked homeless people from using a North Maclean park after locking a toilet and installing a gate.

It comes after anger at similar action on the weekend at an Eagleby Park.

But Mayor Jon Raven said vandalism and public safety concerns prompted the action and it had no alternatives.

Homeless people living rough at Tully Memorial Park at North Maclean lashed out at Logan City Council and its mayor after the gate was recently erected, barring vehicles from driving up to the toilet block.

It is the second time in a week that the council has come under fire for closing facilities to homeless people.

Some charity workers have claimed Council was trying to rid the region’s parks of rough sleepers, but it said the moves were made after health and safety concerns.

On the weekend it was revealed council padlocked showers at Oliver Sports Complex in Eagleby, where about 60 homeless people were living, after faeces was smeared over the walls.

The two parks became popular with homeless people, who can stay at one site for up to three nights, after social media posts claimed they were the only free amenities between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Tully Memorial Park in North McLean is the latest to spark complaints after a toilet was closed in January following storm damage. Picture: Google Maps

Logan City Council mayor Jon Raven said his council was looking after the homeless despite the latest complaints that a toilet at Tully Memorial Park was locked and a gate installed.

He said one toilet at Tully Memorial Park was closed after it was damaged in storms in January and was scheduled to be fixed and back in action by May 17.

The council installed a gate to stop cars parking along the pathway to the toilet block after complaints from women claiming they felt intimidated.

“We had safety concerns again around the other set of toilets at Tully Park because people are parking their cars along the path that leads up to the toilet,’’ Cr Raven said.

“Members of the public, as well as campers, are reaching out to the local councillor saying it is not a safe environment.

Mark Spence, who relies on two walking sticks, said he had been living in his car at Tully Memorial Park.

He said the council-installed gate made getting access to the toilet block difficult.

“I can’t walk and I have two walking sticks. I’m very slow and this makes it difficult,” he said.

Other homeless people camping at the park said council officers had been to the site to move people along.

Council regulations allowed the park to be used as an overnight stay for people in caravans or campervans, but only for a maximum of three nights.

Cr Raven said the showers at Oliver Sports Complex at Eagleby were closed after people started using them as toilets and faeces was wiped over walls.

Homeless people have been living at Oliver Sports Complex, Eagleby, where the council has locked the showers. Picture: Liam Kidston

He said council officers closed the facility after vandals ripped off shower heads and wrecked a water bubbler in the park.

“There were faeces being wiped all over the wall and they just couldn’t be used as they were so disgusting,” Cr Raven said.

“Our main priority is making sure that vulnerable people who are experiencing homelessness are safe.

“The shower in the park is not designed for what it is being used for, by 100 people a day.

“People are using it in an unregulated way and there is no one there to regulate it.

“That is just waiting for something to go wrong.”

Charity Beyond Barriers director Daniel Cinzio, who worked with homeless people at four Logan parks, said the council had a duty to allow access to drinking water and shower facilities for people sleeping rough.

Beyond Barriers director Daniel Cinzio with food for the homeless living at Oliver Sports Complex, Eagleby. Picture: Liam Kidston

“The council needs to provide access or provide a better or similar option,” Mr Cinzio said.

“The volume of people coming because of homelessness from all around the area is immense and there are only limited showers to process all these people.

“I have certainly seen people there at night so these facilities need to be open quite late.

“It is exciting to hear that the state government is talking to the council about funding for people to be able to go into motels and transition from a tent into housing.”

Cr Raven said the matter would be raised at an upcoming council meeting.

Originally published as Logan council faces backlash over complaints at second park used by homeless