News
19 December, 2024
Homeless hit hard
Moreton Bay has nearly 4,5000 people on the social housing list, the highest number in Queensland, according to recent social housing data released by the State Government.
Moreton Bay data shows a 90 per cent increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the last decade across the City, and a staggering 250 per cent increase in referrals to Council of people sleeping rough over the last two years.
Mayor Peter Flannery declared City of Moreton Bay was at a tipping point, with the situation now causing serious public safety concerns, impacting access to Council land, and costing Council over $2 million annually.
“Over recent years, with the increase of homelessness in our communities, I have seen more people taking advantage of Moreton Bay’s supportive policy and processes, sometimes to the detriment of our broader community. This cannot continue,” Mayor Flannery said.
“Concerns for public safety are mounting in some Council parks and we have received hundreds of calls from residents and visitors citing serious concerns associated with the decline of amenity, access, and safety within some public spaces being occupied by persons experiencing homelessness and illegal campers.
“I am particularly concerned that during this holiday period, our residents and visitors will not be able to access local parks due to threatening behaviour, or there will be an incident that causes the situation to explode.”
As a response, Council will now be bringing their Person’s Experiencing Homelessness Camping Framework back into line with other South East Queensland councils.
Council’s Local Law Guideline will now prohibit the keeping of animals by all persons camping in Council’s public spaces.
Council will also change guidelines around public space camping undertaken in caravans, camper trailers and other vehicles embellished for the purposes of camping.
“Council does not have the statutory powers to move people on from public spaces nor properly address these safety concerns. This is why we need more officers on the ground to manage this situation,” Cr Flannery said.
“We are doing all we can as a local government. It is now time for other levels of government to do what they are responsible for.”
Cr Flannery said he has contacted Premier Crisafulli and Minister for Housing and Public Works, Sam O’Connor and written to Minister for Police, Daniel Purdie calling for their increased support.
