Campers outraged by council’s ‘cruel, heartless’ one-hour eviction notice

Across Australia, the escalating cost of living is placing an unprecedented strain on households, a pressure many of us understand all too well. 

This economic reality is compounded by an increasingly challenging housing market, which leaves many of our fellow citizens in deeply precarious situations. 

Recent events in Queensland serve as a stark reminder of the human impact of these broader economic and social forces. These occurrences have prompted citizens to reflect on the fundamental right to shelter and the dignity it affords every individual. 

In a move that has sparked outrage and been labelled as ‘cruel and heartless’, a group of campers in Eddie Hyland Park, Lawnton, were given a mere one-hour notice before council excavators demolished their makeshift homes. 

This incident has thrown a harsh spotlight on the nation’s deepening housing crisis and the plight of those without a roof over their heads. 

The campers, many of whom are rough sleepers with nowhere else to go, were left scrambling to gather their belongings as the City of Moreton Bay council enforced a new policy that prohibits camping on public land. 

The policy, which was announced back in February, has been met with fierce criticism from charities, mental health advocates, and the broader community for its lack of compassion and understanding of the complex issues surrounding homelessness.

Beau Hayward, the founder of Brisbane-based charity Nourish Street, was vocal in condemning the Council’s actions. He highlighted the ‘overwhelming’ mental health toll that such evictions take on those affected. 

Hayward’s sentiments echo the frustration and despair felt by many Australians who are witnessing an alarming trend of rising homelessness amid a devastating housing affordability crisis.

Like much of Australia, Queensland is grappling with skyrocketing living costs and a severe shortage of affordable housing options. This has led to an increasing number of people resorting to desperate measures, such as sleeping in tents or cars, to survive. 

The situation is exacerbated by local councils like Moreton Bay and Brisbane, which have taken a hardline approach to the issue by banning rough sleeping and, in some cases, even prohibiting homeless individuals from having pets or living in vans.

In February, the Moreton Bay council in Queensland declared that it would soon prohibit homeless individuals from camping on public land as the region dealt with a rising number of people sleeping rough.

The framework for homeless individuals was also revised to prevent rough sleepers from owning pets and to classify those living in vans as not homeless. As a result, some rough sleepers could face a fine of $806 for this infringement.

In March, Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner took similar action by ordering rough sleepers in the city’s parks to gather their belongings and vacate within 24 hours. Both declarations received significant backlash from charities and mental health advocates, who lashed out at what they described as ‘cruel’ and ‘heartless’ decisions.

‘As local councils move forward with evictions, the situation has become even more dire, with housing services overwhelmed and facing a significant backlog of referrals. For many of those affected, this means facing an uncertain future with very few options available,’ Hayward said.

‘Lives are being disrupted, and the dignity and sense of belonging that come with having a home are being stripped away. It is crucial to remember that, regardless of their circumstances, these individuals are human beings deserving of basic rights, including the right to shelter.’

The City of Moreton Bay council’s spokesperson defended its actions, stating that it cannot legally issue move-on orders but is authorised to remove tents and belongings if a compliance notice is breached. 

‘On Wednesday, we removed two abandoned tents and associated waste. With the consent of one individual, we dismantled their tent and meticulously supported them with gathering their personal items,’ the spokesperson said.

‘The occupant confirmed what was valuable and what items they did not wish to keep, that Council could remove. The valuable items have been stored for later collection.’

He added, ‘On Thursday, we removed two more abandoned tents and associated rubbish from these two sites. We also engaged with the people today who have not complied with orders from several weeks ago to stop illegally camping on public land. With their consent, we dismantled their tents. They declined all offers to store their belongings.’

‘Due to the significant amount and unsanitary nature of the rubbish, this could not be done by hand, so an excavator was used to ensure public health for Council Officers and members of the community was maintained. Council can confirm that the Department of Housing has previously engaged with all people in the park.’

All persons at Eddie Hyland Park who received a compliance notice have again been allowed to utilise specialist homelessness services. According to the spokesperson, the Council officers have not issued any Penalty Infringement Notices.

However, the spokesperson’s account has been met with scepticism, as Hayward pointed out that many people are still waiting for safe housing solutions and are navigating a ‘broken system.’

‘This is simply not the truth. Many people are still waiting for safe housing solutions, not camping on the streets. They are navigating a broken system in search of stability and support,’ he said.

‘As we move forward, we urge our community and decision-makers to recognise the urgent need for systemic change. Everyone deserves the chance to find a home, and together, we can work toward solutions that provide real support and hope for those in need.’

Have you witnessed similar situations in your community? What do you think can be done to better support people experiencing homelessness? Join the conversation and let us know in the comments below.

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