Brisbane City Council puts up CCTV at Musgrave Park after allegations of stabbings and fires

CCTV has been installed at Musgrave Park by Brisbane City Council to combat rising tensions in a move that Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner believes will outrage the Greens.

Brisbane City Council has put up covert cameras at Musgrave Park to combat rising tensions at the homeless camp after allegations of stabbings, fires and vandalism of electric barbecues.

Cameras were installed at Musgrave Park on Wednesday after Council were forced to turn the power off earlier in the week.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he was committed to making Brisbane safer which is why the council opted to roll out new fixed and mobile cameras in trouble-prone areas.

“We’ve made the decision to install these cameras in Musgrave Park due to escalating reports of stabbings, drug use and fires in the tent encampment,” he said.

Tents in a fenced off area at Musgrave Park in South Brisbane which has seen an escalation of fighting and unsociable behaviour according to council complaints.

“I’m aware that local Greens politicians oppose the installation of CCTV cameras, however, they are the same politicians that routinely oppose the construction of much-needed new homes in areas like Kurilpa and West End.

“The increasingly violent, aggressive and anti-social behaviour that’s occurring within these parks during the day and night means they’re now no-go zones for residents.”

Mr Schrinner said hard working and committed council social workers had been forced to reduce their visits to the parks because of safety concerns.

“This situation is simply not acceptable. It’s not the Brisbane I grew up in and it shouldn’t be the Brisbane of today,” he said.

“I’m hopeful that these cameras will act as a deterrent to violence and will help authorities respond more effectively.

Brisbane City Council have become concerned about the serious escalation of violence and anti-social behaviour in these encampments at Musgrave Park and Kurilpa Point.

“There needs to be a better long-term solution which is why our senior council officers will be meeting with police and State Government officials in coming days.

“We need a new approach towards anyone who demonstrates violent, aggressive and anti-social behaviour because our parks should be safe places for all residents.

The new step to protect the parks comes a day after Mr Schrinner asked Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski to step in.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the Police Commissioner was contacted by the Lord Mayor and committed to QPS continuing to work with the council and other agencies to address homelessness.

Homeless advocates say they are concerned of the growing number of people choosing to return to tents after being in motels for a long period of time.

At the start of October a tent was found well engulfed in flames on the corner of Russell Street and Coredlia Street at Musgrave Park.

It is one of many incidents that have occurred in the past few months.

Originally published as Brisbane City Council puts up CCTV at Musgrave Park after allegations of stabbings and fires