Southport CBD homeless army grows despite eviction notice from council
Mayor Tom Tate is offering to shout Gold Coast homeless the price of bus fares to get to Byron Bay as a tent city grows in the tourism capital CBD. SEE THE VIDEO
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Mayor Tom Tate says he will pay bus fares of the homeless to Byron Bay if they want to move, as a tent city grows in the Gold Coast’s CBD.
Mr Tate said he was saddened by the homeless crisis: “(But) if the police are not going to move them, (the council) are not going to jump in and do that,” he said.
“Happy to get them a bus, and if they want to, take them to Byron Bay and enjoy the lifestyle down there.”
The State Government needed solutions instead of just taking away tents, the Mayor added.
“They’re suffering enough. I say to State Government, temporary housing, whatever you need we are happy to pack things up. Unless there is a fair solution, they don’t want to move,” Mr Tate said.
Residents had also complained to council about homeless urinating in parks at night.
“I’ll go and unlock (the toilets myself. They shouldn’t lock it when people want to use the facility. If it is a safety reason,then I will understand,” Mr Tate said.
He intends to talk to City CEO Tim Baker about temporary housing at the Kirra Tourist Park.
Volunteer group Set Free Care were on Tuesday trying to organise shelter and linking those sleeping rough in Carey Park tohealth services.
State Government says support is being offered but welfare workers maintain the Gold Coast lacks available shelter. At least 70 homeless are in the CBD.
Councillor Brooke Patterson on Facebook said “move-on directions had been issued by the City at Carey Park, James Overell Park and Matron and Sister Higman Park”.
The council placed “abandoned property” notices on tents in the parks but the City now admits it lacks the powers to shift the homeless and will not remove belongings.
Mayor Tate said police had the powers to move on homeless, and the State Government Housing Department was responsible forfinding accommodation for rough sleepers.
Police officers say they are not intervening in a council dispute.
Matangirau “Uncz” Hira, speaking on behalf of the Carey Park homeless and contacting support groups, on Tuesday said more people had arrived to join six sleeping rough in the park, opposite Southport Bowls Club.
“We had nowhere to put them. We have three new tents coming this afternoon, and more coming later in the week.”
“We had nowhere to put them. I rang some people from Set Free Care and these young people (supporters) from Brisbane. They were looking around for tents. I didn’t realise they had already started fund raising and had purchased some,” he said.
“We have three new tents coming this afternoon, and more coming later in the week.”
Mr Hira admitted the atmosphere was tense because people could be moved on.
“It’s not a good feeling here, that someone can rip out what is yours. Everything that’s in that tent, it’s all they have. We need (council) to find a solution,” he said.
Set Free Care operations manager Ellen Long said she had been checking on the homeless since their Southport community centre provided shelter to 100 people during Cyclone Alfred.
“I’m glad people are still talking about it, because it’s very much a crisis,” she said.
“I think, from my understanding, there is not a lot (of housing) in the pipeline, short term or long term. The last meeting we went to, there is apparently nothing available.
“We just really checking up on them daily. Obviously we are trying to support them outside of here, still stay in touch with services, ask the questions that need to be asked, and try to get some answers for them.”
Mr Hira admitted the atmosphere was tense because people could be moved on.
“It’s not a good feeling here, that someone can rip out what is yours. Everything in that tent, it’s all they have.”
Set Free Care operations manager Ellen Long said she had been checking on the homeless since their Southport community centre provided shelter to 100 during Cyclone Alfred.
“It’s very much a crisis,” she said. “There is not a lot (of housing) in the pipeline, short or long term.
“We are trying to support them outside here, still stay in touch with services, ask questions that need to be asked, and tryto get some answers.”
Housing Minister Sam O’Connor said: It’s really tough for a lot of people across the Gold Coast right now and to respond tothis unprecedented housing crisis we inherited, we have more housing help than ever.
“Our Housing Outreach officers were in Southport last week engaging with as many people as they safely could, they will beback again this week and for as long as is needed.
“When support is offered, I urge people to please take it up - whether it’s hotel for motel accommodation or being connectedto our State-funded services which can make a real difference.”
Mr O’Connor said the Government had 655 social and affordable homes under contract or under construction across the Coast.
EARLIER: Homeless campers vowed to stay on in a tent city boasting a white wedding marquee in Southport CBD on the eve of eviction.
Camp “leaders” say at least seven homeless in Carey Park - earmarked fora boutique stadium for the 2032 Olympics - want to stay on after the City of Gold Coast placed “abandoned goods” stickers on their tents. It will see their belongings removed.
Set Free Care provided some of the new tents after its volunteers provided up to a week’s shelter at their Southport centre during Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The community is split on the tents springing up in several Southport parks with some residents wanting more welfare support but others worried about safety and hygiene. Some campers are defecating in buckets at night in makeshift open toilets with park facilities closed and locked.
Councillor Brooke Patterson confirmed on Facebook “move-on directions had been issued by the City at Carey Park, James Overell Park and Matron and Sister Higman Park.
But Matangirau Hira, known as “Uncz” to the homeless, said Carey Park had become popular because of support facilities.
“The reason we are here is because we have running water, we have toilets, we have beach showers,” Mr Hira said.
“Would they rather us sleep out the front of shops and on the streets.”
Mr Hira believes the State Housing department, council and police can reach a solution with the park dwellers if provided with support services.
But authorities should “talk to us and not down to us”.
“We want to help to resolve this problem. I’m sure we can put our heads together and think of something,” Mr Hira said.
Some of the Carey Park homeless had worked on nearby high-rise but were now unemployed with no access to government benefits, he said.
“There are lot of talented people here - rappers, singers, dancers and musicians,” Mr Hira said.
Community advocate Ember Lenarduzzi said: “We heard about the eviction notices. We are disgusted. We are a group of extremely concerned citizens, who believe no human is illegal on stolen land, and that our unhoused community and the encampment needs to be supported, not evicted under pressure of government force.”
Some residents have written in complaint to Ms Patterson while others wants support for rough campers, with numbers estimated to be about 70 in the CBD.
A female resident posted: “Imagine being one of these poor people with nowhere to go. Everything you own, except the shirt in your back, being disposed of, simply because you were at the lowest point in your life.
“It’s a very sad state of affairs our leaders are sitting back condoning. So many homeless right now including families, single parents and elderly. Women over 60 are the most prevalent in this situation.”
A male resident wrote to Ms Patterson about shocking conditions at Matron and Sister Higman Park where “rubbish and syringes” had been found in the past month.
Some campers were “urinating and defecating” and walkers feared for safety, he said.
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