'It's cruel': Council's recent actions towards homeless individuals shocks locals
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The Australian dream always included owning a home that could accommodate your family's needs.
However, many Aussies still face the grim possibility of homelessness.
In a move that has sparked controversy and concern, a council has been accused of taking a harsh stance on the problem.
The City of Moreton Bay, a local government area in the northern region of Brisbane, recently implemented its second homeless clearance in a single day.
Four of the eight residents at Suttons Beach Park in Redcliffe were given a mere 48 hours to pack up their lives and leave the area last Friday.
On top of the displacement, compliance notices also threatened residents with fines of over $8,000.
This move raised alarm bells for citizens directly affected by the move.
The compliance notices were served Friday evening and cited a violation of a council ordinance prohibiting 'storing goods on public land'.
The residents, who had property to call their own, were essentially being told that their personal belongings were not welcome in the public eye.
Beau Haywood, the founder of local food charity Nourish Street, expressed his dismay at the situation.
'I think they're trying to make homelessness illegal in Moreton Bay,' Mr Haywood shared.
This sentiment echoed the fears of many who saw these actions as a punitive approach to a complex issue.
In response to some community members' disappointment, a spokesperson for the City of Moreton Bay insisted that the council was not attempting to outlaw homelessness.
However, the notice warned that failure to comply could attract a penalty ranging from 5 to 50 penalty units.
These units could translate to fines between $806 and $8,065.
However, only a court can impose fines greater than the lowest amount.
Yet, the threat of such a hefty penalty still loomed for those with little to no resources.
While shocking, the situation at Suttons Beach Park was not an isolated incident.
Police directed the residents of another tent city at Woody Point to vacate the area within seven days.
Last December, the council amended local laws to ban people from keeping pets in public spaces or living in vehicles.
While no fines have been issued for these new laws, warning notices have been distributed.
These changes forced some individuals out of their cars and into tents.
Many homeless residents also reported that the state government staff did not offer any temporary emergency accommodation.
The local council issues these temporary accommodations during massive clearances.
A spokesperson for the housing minister countered this claim.
The department's critical response team 'offered temporary emergency accommodation to every person they interacted with on-site'.
Local Trent Heselden has lived in the park with his partner for nine months and has been on the social housing waiting list for six years.
Heselden expressed his uncertainty and frustration with the wait times.
'Are we just moving from park to park and hope that they don't kick us out of this one today?' he asked.
'Just living like that, like on a string, it's cruel.'
Another resident, Alan (surname withheld), shared his worries about continuously moving without a clear destination.
Alan highlighted the lack of viable options for those in his situation.
The council stated that it had engaged with eight people and issued four warnings for camping in areas reserved for community events and businesses.
They also noted that other notices were related to camping with animals, which was against local laws.
On a broader scale, the council spokesperson mentioned a 90 per cent increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness over the last decade.
This statistic underscored the growing challenge that the region continues to face when it comes to homelessness.
Premier David Crisafulli emphasised the importance of balancing the right of individuals to enjoy public spaces with the need to provide shelter for the vulnerable.
'I've seen the images, and I've seen the frustration from not only the community but also our MPs in the local area,' Premier Crisafulli shared.
The situation in Moreton Bay raised questions about how society treats its vulnerable members.
It also served as a stark reminder that the issue of homelessness is more than a personal crisis; it is also a societal one that should need understanding and sustainable solutions.
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences on this matter in the comments below. Have you seen or heard of similar laws in your state? How should local councils address homelessness? Feel free to discuss and share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section below.
However, many Aussies still face the grim possibility of homelessness.
In a move that has sparked controversy and concern, a council has been accused of taking a harsh stance on the problem.
The City of Moreton Bay, a local government area in the northern region of Brisbane, recently implemented its second homeless clearance in a single day.
Four of the eight residents at Suttons Beach Park in Redcliffe were given a mere 48 hours to pack up their lives and leave the area last Friday.
On top of the displacement, compliance notices also threatened residents with fines of over $8,000.
Homeless individuals were forced to stay in public places due to lack of housing options. Image Credit: Pexels/Mart Production
This move raised alarm bells for citizens directly affected by the move.
The compliance notices were served Friday evening and cited a violation of a council ordinance prohibiting 'storing goods on public land'.
The residents, who had property to call their own, were essentially being told that their personal belongings were not welcome in the public eye.
Beau Haywood, the founder of local food charity Nourish Street, expressed his dismay at the situation.
'I think they're trying to make homelessness illegal in Moreton Bay,' Mr Haywood shared.
This sentiment echoed the fears of many who saw these actions as a punitive approach to a complex issue.
In response to some community members' disappointment, a spokesperson for the City of Moreton Bay insisted that the council was not attempting to outlaw homelessness.
However, the notice warned that failure to comply could attract a penalty ranging from 5 to 50 penalty units.
These units could translate to fines between $806 and $8,065.
However, only a court can impose fines greater than the lowest amount.
Yet, the threat of such a hefty penalty still loomed for those with little to no resources.
While shocking, the situation at Suttons Beach Park was not an isolated incident.
Police directed the residents of another tent city at Woody Point to vacate the area within seven days.
Last December, the council amended local laws to ban people from keeping pets in public spaces or living in vehicles.
While no fines have been issued for these new laws, warning notices have been distributed.
These changes forced some individuals out of their cars and into tents.
Many homeless residents also reported that the state government staff did not offer any temporary emergency accommodation.
The local council issues these temporary accommodations during massive clearances.
A spokesperson for the housing minister countered this claim.
The department's critical response team 'offered temporary emergency accommodation to every person they interacted with on-site'.
Local Trent Heselden has lived in the park with his partner for nine months and has been on the social housing waiting list for six years.
Heselden expressed his uncertainty and frustration with the wait times.
'Are we just moving from park to park and hope that they don't kick us out of this one today?' he asked.
'Just living like that, like on a string, it's cruel.'
Another resident, Alan (surname withheld), shared his worries about continuously moving without a clear destination.
Alan highlighted the lack of viable options for those in his situation.
The council stated that it had engaged with eight people and issued four warnings for camping in areas reserved for community events and businesses.
They also noted that other notices were related to camping with animals, which was against local laws.
On a broader scale, the council spokesperson mentioned a 90 per cent increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness over the last decade.
This statistic underscored the growing challenge that the region continues to face when it comes to homelessness.
Premier David Crisafulli emphasised the importance of balancing the right of individuals to enjoy public spaces with the need to provide shelter for the vulnerable.
'I've seen the images, and I've seen the frustration from not only the community but also our MPs in the local area,' Premier Crisafulli shared.
The situation in Moreton Bay raised questions about how society treats its vulnerable members.
It also served as a stark reminder that the issue of homelessness is more than a personal crisis; it is also a societal one that should need understanding and sustainable solutions.
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