Green light for homeless campsite

A campsite for those experiencing homelessness in Moreton Bay is opening - with registrations already being taken.

Moreton Bay City Councillors have unanimously backed a management plan for Wyllie Park at Petrie to become a “stopping point” for the homeless.

The site has strict registration and compliance rules, with limits on the number of campers and time they are permitted to stay.

“This is not a solution or replacement for accommodation,” Mayor Peter Flannery said at yesterday’s Special Meeting to approve the plan.

“This is a stopping point where we can give people a bit of respect, a safe area to be in and get supportive services.

“The number of social housing programs coming is excellent, but they are two-to-three years away from delivering a roof over people’s heads.

“People can bag us as much as they want but I haven’t had anyone come forward to me and provide a different solution to try and address these issues we are facing.”

Addressing councillors, CEO Scott Waters said: “A safety net is needed between homelessness and housing. That’s what is missing at the moment. That is the intent of your resolution and what we will be delivering.”

The facility has showers, toilets, CCTV and a “degree of safety” - but comes with strict conditions which must be met by those permitted to stay there.

Campers must register with Council to be allocated one of 30 pitches which have a maximum of two people on each. For safety reasons, families will not stay there.

Those using the site must be 18 or over and registered for housing or housing support. Stays will generally be for 21 days and campers must not exceed 42 days over 12 months.

Only tents are permitted on the site and there are a raft of rules over vehicles, use of facilities, environmental protection, visitors, noise and cleanliness.

Domestic pets are not permitted but Council may consider guide, hearing or assistance animals.

Mr Waters said Council officers have worked without a Local Government framework for such a plan.

“If we can get this right I believe we will be the exemplar for Local Government in Queensland,” he said.

“There will be difficulties and challenges in delivering this. However, we are doing this in a way that we have worked as much as we can to mitigate every risk we possibly can.

“Once we are up and running we can bring further reports to Council and refine as we go.”

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway said the State Government has done a “decent job in medium to long-term housing” with 720 social houses in three years and 716 under construction.

“But we know a lot of the people living in our parks need crisis accommodation,” she said.

“We need to make sure wraparound services are there and they are no longer in our parks. Our community is feeling unsafe. We are being told that on a daily basis.”

Cr Jim Moloney (Div 8) said people are already camping in Moreton Bay’s parks and public spaces, therefore “the real choice is if camping occurs within a managed framework or unmanaged one.

“I believe the management plan and amended conditions represent a sensible and practical approach,” he said.

For further information about the camp site click here