What you said about closing down homeless camps across Brisbane

Brisbane’s never-ending homelessness battle has taken another twist, leaving as many questions as it has delivered answers. HAVE YOUR SAY

Homeless tents in Musgrave park, West End, Brisbane. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen

• Your homelessness questions answered

Brisbane’s never-ending homelessness battle has taken another twist, leaving as many questions as it has delivered answers.

The city’s camps will be shut down on Thursday and cleared out in a stunning directive by the Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

Mr Schrinner said council now knew the vast majority of those living in the camps – particularly at hotspots like Musgrave Park and Kurilpa Point near the Gallery of Modern Art — had been offered safe accommodation but had declined it.

Consequently, he said those living in the camps would be given 24 hours to move on.

After that council officers, supported by police, would move in and remove all the tents and other items.

“As a community that cares, I don’t believe we should ever accept that tents in public parks are an acceptable substitute for secure and safe accommodation,” he said.

“Our parks and playgrounds should be safe spaces for everyone to enjoy.”

Brisbane City Council’s tent city shutdown follows a decision by neighbouring City of Moreton Bay Council to criminalise homeless camping, making it punishable with a fine up to $8065.

Mr Schrinner said that decision – which he supports – had led to “extremely concerning” reports of homeless people choosing to travel to Brisbane instead.

Brisbane City Council in October last year put up covert cameras at Musgrave Park to combat rising tensions at the homeless camp amid allegations of stabbings, fires, and vandalism of electric barbecues.

News of the mandate sparked a war of words among readers; many claiming it was about time action was taken.

Others insisted it isn’t the government’s job to help those who may not want help.

Some, though, offered alternative ideas to remedy the issue.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

About time

Kylie

Long overdue, they have completely overrun numerous green spaces around the city and rendered amenities unsafe and unusable

Robert

Good, it’s about time.

Peter

Well overdue. If support services are there and being declined there is no alternative.

Luke

This should have happened a while ago.

peter

Tragic but overdue. Things are getting much worse.

The Lord Mayor will order the removal of homeless camps in city parks. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen

Some can’t be helped

Zee

Some people choose to be homeless. Other are homeless because of their actions when renting. If offered accommodation & refuse it move them on.

Winston

If they have been offered housing but turned it down, then there is no excuse.

Par

The Park dwellers want everything for nothing. Refused to pay $80.00 a fortnight for Hotel/Motel accommodation.

Corner Post

Living rough close to the city is likely a lifestyle choice.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. Picture: John Gass

I have an idea

Live At 5

Is anyone living at the Pinkenba Quarantine Facility? – seems to me a simple and easy solution!

David

Thank god action is being taken. Hopefully this will be enforced city wide, out into the suburbs and not just around the CBD.

Stephen

I’m so tired of the expectation that ‘government’ must look after people. Get off your collective buts and get to work and contribute to society.

Scott

Can we use the Toowoomba facility and the Pinkenba facilities that were created for Covid?

■ All your housing, homelessness questions answered

We never solve it

Just a nobody, that votes.

And another government or public donation funded not for profit organisation will appear within days and resupply them with tents and bedding.

Denis

24 hours is an unfair timeline. Granted they need to be moved but lots have mental instability and 24 hours will cause considerable stress and anxiety

Steve

When you consider the hundreds of millions into billions wasted by the Pullachook government with Miles as Deputy Premier then Premier starting with Wellcamp, CRR, Renewables, this would have gone a very long way into providing public housing

Personal agendas however got in the way

Diane

What have the Council done to help and rehouse those poor people.

Originally published as What you said about closing down homeless camps across Brisbane