50+ tent dwellers move after police, Logan council evict campers from sport complex

More than 50 people living in tents and vans have been evicted from a southeast Queensland park after police and council rangers enforced a final warning to vacate.

Tent dwellers have relocated to Hugh Muntz Park in Beenleigh.

A southside council has joined forces with police to evict more than 50 people living in tents from a council-owned park.

Logan City Council park rangers, supported by local police, arrived at the Olivers Sports Complex in Eagleby, Logan, early on Monday to carry out the eviction, which had been looming for weeks.

Residents and park-goers had been increasingly vocal about concerns over safety and cleanliness in the area, particularly given its proximity to children’s play spaces and the popular Little Athletics grounds.

The area around the complex, near the Brigalow Country Club, had become controversial, with locals torn between compassion for the displaced individuals and frustration over the growing number of tents and the accompanying safety concerns.

A Logan City Council ‘No Camping’ sign at the Olivers Sports club outside the Brigalow Country Club. Picture: Judith Kerr

Long-time caretaker of the nearby Brigalow Country Club Max Noble said some of the campers had lived at the park for two years but the situation had been inevitable.

“All the people camping at the site had been warned weeks ago that they were going to be evicted and then the police and officers turned up early Monday,” Mr Noble said.

“Everyone was told to move on or they’d face fines. This time, it was serious.”

Mr Noble confirmed that the council had been lenient in the past, issuing warnings and advising campers to relocate, but yesterday’s action was the first of its kind — a firm and final notice to vacate the area with those not complying facing penalties.

The park had shower and toilet facilities that were available for Brigalow Country Club events for those with a disability.

Logan mayor Jon Raven said public housing had been offered to the displaced individuals, though not all accepted the offer.

Logan mayor Jon Raven said all campers were offered other accommodation.

“We are not in the business of providing free housing,” Cr Raven said in a post on social media.

“Council resources are limited, and while we want to help, the cost of fully addressing homelessness would inevitably raise rates for all Logan residents.”

Cr Raven’s post was met with mixed reactions, as some praised the council for taking decisive action, while others criticised the broader lack of support for the homeless community in Logan.

It is not the first time Logan City Council has played an active role in moving tent dwellers out of a council-owned park.

The toilet block at the Olivers Sports Complex.

In May, Logan council blocked homeless people from using a North Maclean park after locking a toilet and installing a gate.

With the eviction completed, many of the displaced tent dwellers have moved to set up new camps across Logan.

Residents reports indicated several campers had gathered in Beenleigh near the Marketplace and the M1 flyover near Remu St, Eagleby, while others had dispersed to less visible spots around Eagleby.

A tent camp at Logan’s Hugh Muntz Park, Beenleigh. Picture: Judith Kerr

“There’s a lot of talk about them moving to other parks, but most don’t want to go near the marketplace because of the violence and drugs there,” Mr Noble explained.

Mr Noble said the future of the park now that the campers had been moved on was still unknown with the council yet to reveal any possible plans for the site.

He said the Brigalow Country Club would remain on the nearby property despite rumours about potential plans to repurpose the area for an Indigenous centre.

Originally published as 50+ tent dwellers move after police, Logan council evict campers from sport complex