Public health risks force closure of Gayundah Arboretum site
Published 10 February 2025
Public health and safety concerns at the Gayundah Arboretum Park means the site must close for remediation from Monday 17 February 2025.
The Queensland Government’s Department of Housing, Queensland Police Service and City of Moreton Bay will today engage with people experiencing homeless on the site to inform them of the necessary site closure.
Prior to today, City of Moreton Bay has engaged extensively with the Department of Housing, who will connect these people with alternative accommodation options and appropriate supports.
City of Moreton Bay Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway stated that this urgent response was due to serious public health and safety concerns.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Cr Karl Winchester (Div 6) 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.
“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, Hon Luke Howarth MP said he supported the 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.”
The Gayundah Arboretum site will be fenced off on Monday 17 February.
This is due to an escalated public health risk to the community, and the requirement for Council staff and contractors to safely access the site.
Remediation works will include removal of some ground surface area and associated waste items; ground maintenance and sanitation; and restoration of remnant vegetation.
Remediation is expected to take approximately six (6) months and will cost Council more than $110,000.
Gayundah Arboretum, Woody Point is public land, managed by City of Moreton Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH)
Why are you moving people away from the site?
The site has been deemed a public health and safety risk and needs to be remediated. Council has duty of care to act on the health and safety review findings and recommendations, especially when people residing at the site are at risk.
How do you know it is a public health and safety risk?
Council recently conducted a review of the site following escalating complaints. This is in line with our responsibilities under the Public Health Act 2005.
The review noted an escalated public health risk and identified human waste, used syringes and associated waste, drug paraphernalia, significant general and food waste, active vermin and mosquito breeding.
How are you informing the PEH currently at the site?
City of Moreton Bay Council Officers will be accompanied by Queensland Police Service to inform campers, in person, about the need to close the site for remediation, due to the escalated public health and safety risk. They will receive an Information Notice to vacate before Monday 17 February.
Department of Housing will be onsite to connect these people with alternative accommodation options and appropriate supports.
How many people are there?
We are aware of approximately 13 people in the area.
When do PEH need to leave?
On Monday 10 February the team will inform people that the site will need to close for remediation.
Remediation will commence on Monday 17 February 2025, so campers are required to vacate the park before Monday 17 February.
What if not everyone was there when you went on Monday 10 February?
The team will return on Wednesday 12 February to remind campers that the site must close for remediation. This will be an opportunity to communicate with people who may not have been onsite at our first visit.
Where will the PEH go?
All people currently residing at the Gayundah Arboretum site have previously been offered housing by the State.
Council has continued to engage extensively with the State Government’s Department of Housing, who will now work again to connect these people with alternative accommodation options and appropriate supports.
What if PEH move to other public places in City of Moreton Bay?
Council has a dedicated team of Council Rangers who are focused on working specifically with people experiencing homelessness. Ensuring people comply with Local Laws is part of their everyday patrols and we will be managing those people who move from Gayundah Arboretum to other sites.
Why isn’t Council housing people?
The Queensland Government is responsible for providing safe and appropriate housing including crisis accommodation and social housing options, as well as homelessness support services, for vulnerable members of our community.
What has Council done to alleviate homelessness?
City of Moreton Bay has taken a proactive approach and continues to explore options to combat the effects of the national housing crisis.
Initiatives include Council waiving development fees and infrastructure charges in fifteen suburbs for affordable and social housing, offering Council land under a peppercorn lease to community housing providers Bric Housing and Coast2Bay Housing Group Ltd, committed $3.7 million to the new Peninsula Support Hub and supported the Redcliffe Sleepbus.
Why couldn’t you move PEH sooner if it is such a health risk?
The State Department of Housing needs time to provide crisis accommodation and support to the people currently experiencing homelessness at the site. We are working to ensure there is a considered and compassionate approach to those at the site.
Will you be cleaning up other areas where there are people experiencing homelessness?
Council is aware of other areas, and considering the number of specific complaints, will be conducting a review of sites on public land to ensure we are meeting our obligations under the Public Health Act 2005.
How does this relate to Council’s People Experiencing Homelessness Framework?
City of Moreton Bay’s People Experiencing Homelessness Camping Framework was developed in response to the COVID pandemic to provide guidelines for how Council manages illegal camping.
Council is reviewing this framework taking into account increasing community public health and safety concerns and alignment to other SEQ Council regulations.
The Gayundah Arboretum site
What is the Gayundah Arboretum?
The Gayundah Coastal Arboretum was established in 1986, originally as a reserve to assist school children in learning about native coastal flora. It now features walking tracks, picnic areas and bench seats along the foreshore, overlooking Redcliffe Peninsula.
The site is State Government land, held in trust and managed by Council.
The site named after the HMQS Gayundah - a former navy vessel beached on the foreshore at Woody Point in 1958 to slow erosion. There is a stone with a plaque dedicated to the HMQS Gayundah at the site.
Why does the site need to be rehabilitated?
A public health review has identified human waste, used syringes and associated waste, drug paraphernalia, significant general and food waste, active vermin and mosquito breeding at the site.
This is a public health and safety concern under the Public Health Act 2005.
Damage needs to be repaired at the public site caused by camping and other activities.
How did the site get into this state?
Council’s PEH Framework allows people experiencing homelessness to reside on public land while they are on the State’s social housing waiting list and if they comply with various responsibilities. These responsibilities include not impeding reasonable access by other community members and Council officers undertaking their duties, not conducting illegal behaviour and keeping the area clean, safe and tidy.
Recent concerns necessitated a public health and safety review which has recommendation closing the area for remediation.
How much will it cost?
Cost to Council to remediate the site is more than $110,000.
How long will it take?
Park remediation will commence on Monday 17 February 2025. Remediation will take approximately 6 months, and the park will be mostly not accessible during this period.
When can we go back?
Due the extensive damage, combined with the public health and safety risks, the site will be closed to all people.
The remediation will take approximately 6 months. We will keep the community informed.
How will I know the site is safe to return to?
Remediation works will include removal of some ground surface area and associated waste items; ground maintenance and sanitation; and restoration of remnant vegetation. Council has an obligation under the Public Health Act 2005, and we will not open the site until it is safe.
What has happened to the HMQS Gayundah Memorial?
The HMQS Gayundah Memorial is still at the site. We will prioritise the area around the Memorial in the hope it can be open for Anzac Day on Friday, 25 April 2025.