Statement on People Experiencing Homelessness

Published 22 January 2025

Statement
City of Moreton Bay
People Experiencing Homelessness
from CEO, City of Moreton Bay, Scott Waters

City of Moreton Bay is aware of public comments, misinformation and disinformation about Council’s engagement with people experiencing homelessness on Council land.  This commentary also extends to the Council’s unanimous decision on the 12^th of December to uphold its Local Laws ensuring public health, community safety and the safety of Council staff was not continually compromised.

Homelessness is complex and must be balanced via a humanitarian approach and upholding the safety and wellbeing of the community.  False claims about the work of Council to compassionately support people experiencing homelessness does not help those in need.

Council has a record of advocating for and helping people experiencing homelessness including a recent face to face meeting held between the Mayor and the Minister for Housing and Public Works, the Hon Sam O’Connor MP.

Community safety has always been, and will continue to be, a priority for Council. With the support of State funded service providers, Council takes a compassionate and supportive approach to people experiencing homelessness.

Homelessness is a complex issue. A lack of sufficient housing is exacerbated by additional considerations of family violence, mental health issues, drug and alcohol abuse and employment difficulties. Multiple service providers, from housing to mental health and other wrap around services, local Councils and the State and Federal Government all work closely together to support those sleeping rough.

City of Moreton Bay currently supports people experiencing homelessness by proactively working with individuals to connect them with the Queensland Government Department of Housing and Public Works, and homelessness service providers, who are responsible for providing housing assistance and related services.  Council has employed eight (8) staff to specifically do this support work. This is generally not in local government’s remit.

People experiencing homelessness can remain on public land if they comply with various responsibilities. These 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. This is consistent with other Councils across South East Queensland.

Ongoing illegal and antisocial behaviour cannot be accepted, this includes drug taking, assaults, toileting in public, fighting and use of dangerous weapons, dogs not under effective control, alcohol abuse, illegal fires and strewn litter, as well as aggressive and antisocial behaviours and assaults towards park users.

Council genuinely appreciates, and intimately knows, that not all people experiencing homelessness conduct illegal behaviour or treat our staff, or the broader community, in an aggressive manner.
 
However, safety and public health are legislated requirements that Council by law, is required to act on.

We will continue to work with service providers to support people experiencing homelessness but where there is an impact to public health and safety, we have a legal requirement and community expectation to respond.

Our reporting shows incidents between council employees and people experiencing homelessness have more than doubled from 2023 to 2024. Not only are they increasing in frequency, but the level of violence is escalating and posing critical risks to our staff. Safety is non-negotiable and Council fully supports our staff.  City of Moreton Bay has zero tolerance for occupational violence and aggression towards its employees. Like every other workplace, we have a legal obligation to keep our workforce safe.

It is a gross misrepresentation of the current situation and makes a mockery of the incredible work that people supporting the homeless do every day, to play politics or pursue an agenda with this complex issue.

This is not about homelessness; this is about public health and safety in City of Moreton Bay.

The facts are:

• It is the Queensland Government's responsibility to provide safe and appropriate housing including crisis accommodation and social housing options, as well as homelessness support services, for vulnerable members of our community.
• City of Moreton Bay has a policy consistent with other South East Queensland councils, that supports people experiencing homelessness. Housing and homelessness in Moreton Bay - City of Moreton Bay
• Council has received ongoing feedback about the significant increase in illegal behaviour in public places including assaults, fighting and use of dangerous weapons, drug and alcohol abuse and dogs not under effective control. Over the last 12 months, the number of complaints from the community has doubled and is now in the thousands annually.
• Council legally must investigate reports pertaining to public health and safety matters, as well as ensuring amenity and environmental protection.
• Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 as with every other workplace, we have a legal obligation to keep our workforce safe.
• Council has an obligation to administer its local laws for the community, to ensure amenity, public safety and environmental protection.
• Council’s local laws have not changed. Minor relaxations made during COVID had exacerbated illegal behaviour and this could not continue.
• Council is on the ground daily supporting people experiencing homelessness and refers these people to the State for support.
• Council does not have the statutory powers to move people on from public spaces.
• Abandoned PEH camps are disposed of due to public health concerns. Council does not remove personal belongings from people. Council will only remove abandoned items left behind and rubbish.
• City of Moreton Bay has taken a proactive approach, pioneered initiatives 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.