Wyllie Park homeless camp to close
City of Moreton Bay Council will close its trial camping site for people experiencing homelessness at Wyllie Park in Petrie following intervention by the State Government.
A letter from Economic Development Queensland (EDQ), tabled at Council's General Meeting on November 12, cites Wyllie Park's inclusion in a Priority Development Area (PDA) as the reason for issuing a show cause notice over the trial.
In the correspondence, EDQ CEO Julian Simmons confirmed no further enforcement action would be taken provided Council:
Does not register any new individuals seeking to use the trial site.
Undertakes its usual compliance processes to vacate individuals once their registrations expire.
Removes portable items used during the trial once everyone has vacated the site, and continues to monitor the park and undertake compliance processes as required.
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said Council would comply with the State Government's direction.
“The fact is that we could spend millions of dollars of ratepayer funds fighting this Show Cause in court only to lose anyway,” Mayor Flannery 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.
“We backed Wyllie Park in good faith and believe it was successful in providing a safer solution for people experiencing homelessness who have no access to emergency or supportive shelter in City of Moreton Bay currently.”
Council will not accept new campers at Wyllie Park and will work with existing residents as they see out their remaining registration periods.
Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway has met with senior Department of Housing officials in recent weeks, with discussions continuing about future shelter networks across the City of Moreton Bay.
“We are also pleased to see that the Minister for Housing has committed to considering proposals for emergency/shelter accommodation,” Cr Shipway said.
Council says it will continue working with the State Government on homelessness and the closure of Wyllie Park.
It will also continue its compliance and public space clean-up campaign in areas affected by homelessness.
Further details about the closure, including timing, are yet to be finalised.