Taskforce to tackle crime in Brisbane’s homeless encampments

Crime and drug use at two of Brisbane’s biggest homeless tent cities has prompted the city council to establish a taskforce with police to combat “anti-social behaviour”.

“We’ve received feedback from residents who are concerned about parks becoming no-go zones, with reports of stabbings, significant drug use and brawls spilling into traffic in broad daylight,” City Standards chair councillor Sarah Hutton said.

In the past year, Brisbane City Council received 67 complaints about safety and crime at Musgrave and Kurilpa Point parks in the inner-city.

Brisbane City Council turned off the power at two inner-city parks recently following reports of anti-social behaviour.Credit: Brisbane City Council

“While our council remains committed to a compassionate approach for those genuinely experiencing homelessness, growing fears about community safety are incredibly concerning,” Hutton said.

Homelessness support services say those who commit serious crimes should be held accountable, but they warn against “criminalising homelessness”.

“Whilst people’s behaviour is part of the issue, it’s not the whole issue,” said Karyn Walsh from Micah Projects.

Tents line the Brisbane River near Kurilpa Point, one of two main areas drawing complaints.Credit: Tony Moore

She said that by relaxing its attitude to people living in parks, the council had “been enabling people, [saying] it’s OK to be there because of the housing crisis, so people have gone back”.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said the taskforce was a co-ordinated effort comprising non-government organisations, the council and partner agencies to “engage proactively to support rough sleepers and, where possible, assist with transitioning people into more suitable options”.

But Walsh said a lack of suitable options had led many to the camps in the first place.

“We can’t give them what doesn’t exist ... we know 100 people that could go to supportive housing right now,” she said.

The options available were not always appropriate, with many having bad experiences, or finding themselves unable to cope in the housing provided.

“They’re not good options ... we don’t have a lot of choice available,” Walsh said.

A recent report by Homelessness Australia and Impact Economics said support services were buckling under increased pressure, forcing them to turn people away.

“We’re trying not to do that. We know people can’t always get through to us on the phone, but we do make sure to ring people back,” Walsh said.

“We have an unprecedented number of emails we’re trying to respond to.”

The report revealed there had been a 63 per cent increase in Australians at risk of homelessness since 2016.

“The reality is that affordable housing has disappeared,” Walsh said.

While more crisis accommodation is needed, so is long-term supportive housing as many of the homeless have high needs, such as disabilities, mental illness and addictions.

“We need new models for how people can live and sustain a tenancy long term. They can’t be in crisis and live independently in the community when their needs are so high,” Walsh said.

“Supportive housing is an evidence-based model ... there’s just not enough of it. But we just can’t keep doing the same things we’ve been doing.”

AAP