While on their travels, most grey nomads will have seen some evidence of the homelessness crisis impacting many parts of Australia.
The growing number of people struggling to find a place to call home has resulted in more of them attempting to stay long term in bush camps and budget campsites.
This has created a range of issues that many local authorities have struggled to address, particularly as they seek to be sensitive to the needs of those facing very difficult situations.
In Queensland, the City of Moreton Bay sought to be proactive by announcing a few months ago that a new free camping site for tents would be provided at Wyllie Park, Petrie.
However, that initiative is now about to end following directions from the State Government.
The trial of free camping for homeless people at Wyllie Park. is to end PIC: City of Moreton Bay
A letter from the State Department of Economic Development (EDQ) cited Wyllie Park’s inclusion in a Priority Development Area (PDA) as reason to issue a Show Cause as to why Wyllie Park should not be closed down.
Basically, the council is now required not to register any new individuals seeking to utilise the trial at the site; vacate individuals accessing the trial after registrations expire; and then continue to monitor the use of Wyllie Park and undertake usual compliance processes.
City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Peter Flannery, said the council would comply with the State Government direction.
“The fact is that we could spend millions of dollars of ratepayer funds fighting this Show Cause in court only to lose anyway,” he said. “Council allowed free camping for people experiencing homelessness at Wyllie Park in an attempt to provide a short-term solution to what is a state issue of chronic homelessness in City of Moreton Bay, particularly in high traffic public areas like the Redcliffe foreshore.”
The Mayor said the council had backed Wyllie Park in good faith and believed it was successful in providing a safer solution for people experiencing homelessness.
Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway has met with senior Department of Housing officials over the last few weeks and says discussions are progressing well for future shelter networks for City of Moreton Bay.
“We are also pleased to see that the Minister for Housing has committed to considering proposals for emergency/shelter accommodation,” she said.
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Councils should grab all old caravans, unregistered, sitting in driveways, on kerbs,
do the owners a favour, and tow or low-loader unwanted vans to flood-free paddocks for homeless people.
Council provide a basic amenities block,
showers, portaloos, garbage etc.
Strick rules for nuisance people.
Better than bubble tents and houchies.
A basic trailer park.
Ken Allen
Southport.