‘Terrified’: Bundaberg residents moved on from city park

A 68-year-old disabled pensioner was “brought to tears” when a council worker told him to leave a Bundaberg park or be fined. With nowhere else to go he is now living on the side of the road.

Ebony Daly and her dog Nora are camping in swags at the Hinkler Lion's Park, along with Ebony’s sister and mother.

The Bundaberg council has been tight lipped about reports its staff have begun issuing fines and infringement notices to the homeless in Hinkler Lions Park.

The park has been a hotspot for those facing homelessness, as it has a bathroom and limited camping facilities.

Pensioner Gregory Davidson, 68, has been staying there on and off for several months after struggling to find suitable living accommodations in buses and caravans.

He recalled the moment this week that a council worker brought tears to his eyes and issued him with an eviction notice to move away from the park.

He claims he was one of several campers who were told to move on within one or two days.

“She came to us and said if we were still at the camp in two days she would fine us,” he said.

“That was the Friday, we were expected to be gone by Sunday.”

Bundaberg Regional Council has not revealed how much a fine would be.

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Mr Davidson, who has little mobility as a result of a disability, was forced to move his small truck to a spot beside Childers Road, which is state land and beyond council jurisdiction.

Mr Davidson recalled the manner in which the council staff member approached him and several others living in the park and used words like “aggressive” and “mean”.

He has spent the past two years stuck in Bundaberg due to issues with his housing and transport, but has spent many years travelling across the country and the world.

When asked to compare the Bundaberg council with other councils he has encountered on his travels he said “they are the most rotten council I have ever dealt with”.

Displaced campers have shifted to the roadside on Childers Road, beyond the jurisdiction of Bundaberg council.

Bundaberg council has not denied it is fining homeless people.

It was asked to respond to reports it was fining the homeless and said the park’s basic facilities meant it was only suitable for the 24/7 stay advertised at the site.

“Council is aware that many people within our community are impacted by the housing and homelessness crisis,” a council spokesman said.

“The current housing and homelessness issue requires a multi-agency response and council is actively participating as a stakeholder in the Bundaberg Housing and Homelessness Forum, which is looking at ways to address the myriad of issues the various impacted residents may be facing,” they said.

“However, this problem is not unique to Bundaberg and while we stand ready and willing to help, the primary responsibility for these matters lies with the state and federal governments.”

Mr Davidson was one of more than a dozen people camped at or near the park who were struggling with their own unique situations.

Many residents staying at the park spoke of their dependence on it and their inability to get accommodation at local caravan parks or to afford the $200-$300 a week.

One woman also living at the Lion’s Park said she and her family had been left with no choice after Regional Housing evicted them from their hotel to make room for a “dog show”.

Ebony-Rose Daly and her dog Nora are camping in swags at the Hinkler Lion's Park.

Ebony-Rose Daly has been homeless and couch surfing for three months, after issues with renting left her, her mother and her sister on the street.

In desperation they turned to Regional Housing Limited until they could find something more sustainable.

After living in a hotel supplied by Regional Housing for only a short period, the family was asked to leave to make room for a visitors at a local dog show.

The family have said they have now been told they would have to get rid of their pets, two dogs and a handful of birds if they want to return.

“They knew we had pets when we approached them,” Miss Daly said.

“We followed all of their instructions when we lived there, and kept them all locked in the laundry 24/7, but now we can’t get back even though the hotel they offered is supposed to be pet friendly.”

When asked if Regional Housing was able to confirm if the family had been displaced due to a dog show, they replied they were unable to discuss confidential information without written consent.

The Hinkler Lions Park has been a popular spot for those without a place to call home, thanks to the bathroom and limited camping facilities.

Miss Daly has been struggling to find work since providing care for her mother after she suffered a broken foot.

The lack of services at the Hinkler Park, which is one of a few free camping sites in the region, means she is unable to charge her phone and apply for jobs while her mother takes the family car to work.

“This is the first time I have ever been homeless. I was financially independent at 17 and now I’m f------ terrified,” she said.

When asked if she had been approached by the council to move along, Miss Daly said she had not, but knew of several others who had.

“You’re made to feel like the bad guy, just for being homeless,” she said.

“We’re not stupid or grubby because of this situation, it’s free to be kind.”

Originally published as ‘Terrified’: Bundaberg residents moved on from city park