'It's cruel': Council's recent actions towards homeless individuals shocks locals

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.


compressed-pexels-homeless.jpeg
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.
Key Takeaways

  • The City of Moreton Bay council issued notices threatening fines for homeless residents for violating a council ordinance.
  • Homeless residents have been given short deadlines to vacate certain public areas, with the risk of receiving fines between $806 and $8,065.
  • A local food charity founder, Beau Haywood, argued that the council tried to criminalise homelessness.
  • The City of Moreton Bay saw a 90 per cent increase in homelessness over the last decade.
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.
 

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The same empty houses are in Wagga, supposedly nomoney for Reno's. They won't let people move in without new carpets and fresh paint. Houses in the private rental market don't get painted and new carpets between tenants.
I am sure homeless wouldn't care, a roof over their heads more important than fresh paint tec.
Unfortunately, in some instances it is the prospective tenants that are the problem and want everything pristine. The saying beggars can't be choosers is correct, If these houses are habitable, they should be offered with further delay.
 
Pretty sad how our own people are treated, whilst there seemsto be no shortage of homes for the 500,000 immigrants govt bring in every year!
These fines are outrageous - there should be more focus on punishing real criminals, not homeless who are in that situation thru no fault of their own
 
This is not cruel, it's utterly stupid. People are homeless because they have no money. How does the council expect these people to pay such/or any fine. Stupid, stupid, stupid council.
how can they afford to buy tents?? Where are they finding a toilet / bathroom?? Is there an oval or something similar they can go to?? Where are they leaving their rubbish?? I'm guessing some ratepayers have complained
 
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Technically, only courts can issue fines while police and councils issue infringement notices. There is a difference.

People who are genuinely homeless need not to pay these infringement notices. The only action that can be taken for non-payment is the following:-
  • Take and sell personal property.
  • Immobilise your vehicle, even if the offence was not traffic related.
  • Issue a Garnishee Order (to allow funds to be taken out of your salary or bank account, subject to a minimum amount which is left untouched).
Good luck trying to enforce these measure if the person does not own a car or is unemployed.

Furthermore, a person cannot be made to do community service or spend time in prison because of unpaid infringement notices.

Source: https://www.legalaid.wa.gov.au/find-legal-answers/money/fines-and-infringements/infringement-notices
 
It's a shame to have to say it, but humanity and just a little empathy for our fellow homo sapiens is being eroded bit by bit, you can blame everything from selfish, blind pollies to greedy ceo's or the local yob who won't even thank you for showing a little bit of kindness to them, I sometimes think bring on the comet☄️and give the world back to the cockroaches ,bugs and fishies for the next billion, but the way we're heading we'll probably do it to ourselves.🤯🤪✌️✌️.
 
Isn't it wonderful that we have such a caring government and state councils that bring in so many immigrants and refugees that get housed in motels and public housing before our own citizens, citizens that have more than likely been here for more years than the imports yet get treated like trash and not given an ounce of care. Perhaps if the government stopped wasting money on so called green energy dreaming, millions in donations to overseas countries that wouldn't come to our aid if we needed it, then maybe, just maybe, they would find the dollars to construct some more public housing for those that are less fortunate. Sadly though our governments and councils don't give a rodents rectum about the people of this country and when i say the people of this country, i mean those that are born and bred here and live by our great way of life.
 
Isn't it wonderful that we have such a caring government and state councils that bring in so many immigrants and refugees that get housed in motels and public housing before our own citizens, citizens that have more than likely been here for more years than the imports yet get treated like trash and not given an ounce of care. Perhaps if the government stopped wasting money on so called green energy dreaming, millions in donations to overseas countries that wouldn't come to our aid if we needed it, then maybe, just maybe, they would find the dollars to construct some more public housing for those that are less fortunate. Sadly though our governments and councils don't give a rodents rectum about the people of this country and when i say the people of this country, i mean those that are born and bred here and live by our great way of life.
Charlotte we are all adults, "rat's arse" is acceptable.
 
how can they afford to buy tents?? Where are they finding a toilet / bathroom?? Is there an oval or something similar they can go to?? Where are they leaving their rubbish?? I'm guessing some ratepayers have complained
These people need assistance. Complaints from ratepayers is at the end of the list. Why? because they can afford to pay their rates. Simple people.
 
I think it’s a real tragedy what’s happening in Australia right now with the economy and the increasing number of people becoming homeless because of it. Of course there are some people who choose to be homeless for their own reasons, but there are many more who have been thrust into homeless because they can no longer afford to have a place to call home. I really can’t imagine myself in such a situation…. I can’t imagine not having a place to call home…I can’t imagine not having financial security of any kind…I can’t imagine having to find a toilet or shower…. I can’t imagine having to live and sleep in a car or tent for the foreseeable future, or having to find food, do the laundry….and I can’t imagine having to cope with children in such a situation, or give up my pet. This is what homelessness is, having very little to call your own, being shoved around from place to place, friends that might have dropped you because you’ve become poor, relying on other people’s charity, and putting up with the stigma of being homeless and having no quality of life…..all the while knowing that immigrants are treated much better, that other countries benefit from our economy and that our housing can be bought by people who don’t even live here (although I think that might be changing)…what a slap in the faces of the homeless. I’ve said this before, but I really think that government could pause aid to other countries, pause immigration, just give Australia a breather for a year or two and use the time to fix matters at home instead…..A pipe dream I know, but government really should put Australia and her population first, I’d vote for a government that cares and can do this….
 
I think it’s a real tragedy what’s happening in Australia right now with the economy and the increasing number of people becoming homeless because of it. Of course there are some people who choose to be homeless for their own reasons, but there are many more who have been thrust into homeless because they can no longer afford to have a place to call home. I really can’t imagine myself in such a situation…. I can’t imagine not having a place to call home…I can’t imagine not having financial security of any kind…I can’t imagine having to find a toilet or shower…. I can’t imagine having to live and sleep in a car or tent for the foreseeable future, or having to find food, do the laundry….and I can’t imagine having to cope with children in such a situation, or give up my pet. This is what homelessness is, having very little to call your own, being shoved around from place to place, friends that might have dropped you because you’ve become poor, relying on other people’s charity, and putting up with the stigma of being homeless and having no quality of life…..all the while knowing that immigrants are treated much better, that other countries benefit from our economy and that our housing can be bought by people who don’t even live here (although I think that might be changing)…what a slap in the faces of the homeless. I’ve said this before, but I really think that government could pause aid to other countries, pause immigration, just give Australia a breather for a year or two and use the time to fix matters at home instead…..A pipe dream I know, but government really should put Australia and her population first, I’d vote for a government that cares and can do this….
Well said Mis Chris and let's thank the current govt for exacerbating the situation.
There is only one thing I don't agree with what you said: I don't believe "some people choose to be homeless". At least not in this country.
 
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