Public health and safety concerns at a Woody Point park, which has become a camp for homeless people, means the site must close for remediation from next Monday, the City of Moreton Bay Council announced today.
The Council said it would join with the Queensland Government’s Department of Housing, and Queensland Police Service, to engage with people experiencing homelessness on the Gayundah Arboretum Park site to inform them of the necessary site closure.
Prior to today, Council says it has engaged extensively with the Department of Housing, who will connect homeless at the site with alternative accommodation options and appropriate supports.
The Gayundah Arboretum at Woody Point is public land, which is managed by the Council.
Acting Mayor, Jodie Shipway said the urgent response was due to serious public health and safety concerns at the location.
“I was appalled and saddened by the recent review of the site that showed an escalated public health risk under the Public Health Act 2005,” she said.
“It’s just not safe for people to be residing in these conditions, nor for the community to continue to use this public space.
“I genuinely hope that people do not exploit our legal obligation to clean up this site, by bringing into this conversation, the very complex issue of homelessness. This is a serious public health matter, and we are obliged to respond.”
The review noted recent human waste, used toilet paper, used syringes and associated waste, drug paraphernalia, significant general and food waste, and active vermin and mosquito breeding, the A/Mayor said.
“No person should have to live in an unsafe environment and Council has a legal responsibility to act on these findings so that health and safety risks are removed.”
“Unfortunately, this means the Gayundah Arboretum site will need to be closed to all people for an extended period of time to remediate the site.
“It is shocking to think that people are living amongst this waste, and I am sure the State Government will take their housing and support responsibilities seriously to help them.
“Many in the community will ask where these people will move to. I know the Member for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley MP has said publicly that all of these people have already been offered housing, and I have been assured they will again be given housing options and support today.
“Mayor Peter Flannery has met with the former, and current Housing Ministers, to express our concern about the severe lack of local crisis accommodation in City of Moreton Bay, and as a Council, we will continue to push this matter until it is resolved by the State.
“Although the area is unsafe, we have worked on a cross-government solution to give people at the site seven (7) days, including a weekend, to leave before it must be fenced off, due to the health and safety risks. We believe this is a fair, compassionate and safe way to manage the situation.”
Division 6 Councillor, Karl Winchester said there had been a noticeable increase in the number, and seriousness, of complaints to Council about the Gayundah Arboretum site.
“I want to thank the community for expressing their significant concerns to Council; I know it has been a worry for many local residents for some time,” he said.
“We’ve heard loud and clear that people want action, and I know we have the overwhelming support from community to remediate the site.
“Council commits to keeping people informed during the remediation process.
“This will need to be a collaborative approach across all levels of Government as Council does not have the power to move people on, nor the responsibility for crisis accommodation, social housing options and other homelessness support services.”
State Member for Redcliffe, Kerri-Anne Dooley MP said: “I have heard loud and clear, since being elected, that homelessness is one of the Redcliffe community’s biggest issues and I am working closely with all key stakeholders to address this situation.
“This current situation however is related to matters of public health and safety, and I wholeheartedly support City of Moreton Bay’s decision to close the Gayundah Arboretum site for public health and safety reasons.
“Only this week I visited the Gayundah Arboretum, and as a nurse, am concerned about the serious health risks I saw first-hand, alongside other illegal activities at the site.”
Federal Member for Petrie, Luke Howarth said he supported the Council’s closure of the Gayundah Arboretum site.
“I am 100% behind what Council is doing, however they must have the full backing of the State Government when it comes to housing and Queensland Police Service support.”
“I too have heard from hundreds of concerned community members about this site and more broadly the growing issue of homelessness on the Peninsula.
“Action must be taken now due to the public health and safety risks, and I will continue to advocate for both people experiencing homelessness and local residents for the right to have a safe home and community environment,” he said.
The Gayundah Arboretum site will be fenced off on Monday 17 February.
Remediation works will include removal of some ground surface area and associated waste items; ground maintenance and sanitation; and restoration of remnant vegetation, Council confirmed in a statement.
The remediation works are expected to take approximately six (6) months and will cost the Council more than $110,000.
