Jarrod Bleijie slams state government over Parrearra social housing death

Police have revealed what has happened to the man at the centre of the investigation into a Sunshine Coast social housing complex death, as the Kawana MP took aim at the state government.

A police investigation has continued over the weekend after a man was found dead in a Sunshine Coast social housing complex last week.

A crime scene was established after thedeath of a 53-year-old man after an alleged fist fight with a fellow resident at the Rendu Lodge social housing complex on Nicklin Way, Parrearra on Thursday, January 18.

A 55-year-old Parrearra man was arrested later that afternoon.

Sunshine Coast District CIB Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Duhig said that man was let go from custody at the weekend and no charges had been laid.

“A report’s being prepared for the coroner and police are awaiting further results from the pathologist, including toxicology results,” he said.

A crime scene has been established at a Sunshine Coast unit complex after a man was found dead. Photo: Iwan Jones

As the police investigation continues, Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie said he warned the state government about disorderly behaviour at the social housing complex.

As of Saturday, January 20, police were speaking with witnesses and there was no longer an active crime scene at the units.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

The lodge, formerly known as the Sun Surf Motel before it was bought by the state government, is a social housing complex operated by St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland – an organisation that provides programs and services to assist those who are marginalised and at risk.

Mr Bleijie said he has been warning the state government about the issues at the site for nine years, only to be ignored.

“I’ve been writing to the state government about the issues of drugs, fights, and anti-social behaviour at the place,” he said.

“The government has ignored the repeated warnings that I’ve given them and now someone has lost their life.”

A crime scene has been established at a Sunshine Coast unit complex after a man was found dead. Photo: Iwan Jones

Mr Bleijie said he was “shocked but not surprised” to hear of the death.

“I’m so angry that the state government has not done anything about this, they are just wiping their hands clean of any responsibility.

“They have to fix these issues, it’s not fair on the residents.”

Nearby residents of the social housing complex, who wanted to remain unnamed out of fear of retribution, said it is “pretty usual” to see police at the complex, calling for the place to be closed down.

Mr Bleijie said he has letters from those same concerned residents regarding anti-social behaviour at the unit complex.

“The residents are frustrated, people in the community are wondering whether it’s safe or not where they live,” he said.

“It just shows how bad the situation is where you’ve got neighbours too scared to publicly speak about this for fear of retribution, and that’s not right.

“I’m calling on the state government to take this matter seriously and if that means looking at closing down Rendu Lodge, then that’s what should happen.”

A Department of Housing spokesman said it was sad to hear of the passing of a tenant, and the department would be offering support to every resident living there, but were unable to comment further on an ongoing police investigation.

Originally published as Jarrod Bleijie slams state government over Parrearra social housing death