homelessness Archives - Redcliffe Today

‘Redcliffe Deserves Better’: Community Launches Call for Cleaner, Safer Public Spaces

A community petition calling on local and state authorities to address safety and cleanliness concerns across Redcliffe’s public spaces has attracted hundreds of signatures since being posted on Change.org.

Read: Homeless Families Set Up Camp Beside Redcliffe Tennis Centre as Housing Crisis Bites

The petition, titled Redcliffe Deserves Better, is directed at the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland Police Service, and the state’s Minister for Housing, Kerri-Anne Dooley. It asks decision-makers to take action to restore what signatories describe as the safety, cleanliness, and accessibility of public areas including the foreshore, parks, showgrounds, and surrounding grassed spaces.

What the Petition Says

The petition identifies a range of conditions residents say they are encountering in these spaces, including accumulated rubbish, food waste and debris, broken glass, drug paraphernalia and syringes, abandoned trolleys and belongings, and long-term occupation of parking areas and public spaces.

It also cites reports of verbal aggression and anti-social behaviour, stating these issues are reducing safe access to parks and beaches, creating health and safety risks particularly for children, and negatively affecting local businesses and tourism.

The petition acknowledges that homelessness is a complex issue requiring “compassionate, long-term solutions,” but argues that public spaces must remain “safe, clean, and accessible for everyone.”

Redcliffe Deserves Better — Photo credit: Change.org/Lauren Porter

Signatories have left comments on the petition page. One resident, Bob, wrote: “People experiencing homelessness need support, dignity, and real pathways forward. The community also needs safe, clean, and accessible public spaces. Right now, neither is being achieved.”

Another resident, Mary, wrote that residents “cannot use some areas of parks and foreshore as it is not safe,” describing the situation as “unfair to rate payers.”

Mitch, another signatory, wrote: “Can’t take my kids to parks and beach areas anymore because they are overrun with tents and rubbish and people who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol.”

Read: Homeless Charity Issues Urgent Call for Support in Redcliffe

The petition calls on the City of Moreton Bay, QPS, the Minister for Housing, and other decision-makers to respond. At the time of writing, it had attracted more than 700 signatures.

To view or sign the petition, visit https://www.change.org/p/redcliffe-deserves-better.

Published 5-May-2026

Homeless Families Set Up Camp Beside Redcliffe Tennis Centre as Housing Crisis Bites

A homeless encampment beside the Redcliffe Tennis and Pickleball Centre is drawing urgent calls for action from the facility’s management and state authorities, with a major tournament scheduled for April 24-27 as local officials work to find a housing solution for those at the site.

Read: No Shelter, No Safety: Homeless at Risk as Cyclone Alfred Looms and Camping Ban Begins

The camp occupies a small strip of parkland adjoining the courts on the Redcliffe Peninsula. It has reportedly grown from three tents to more than 20 in the space of a month. It is home to a mix of long-term rough sleepers and families with school-aged children, several of whom say they were displaced from the rental market and have been on the high-priority housing waitlist for up to six months.

Health and safety concerns at the centre

Redcliffe Tennis and Pickleball Centre manager Thea Novic said she had raised the matter with council and police after staff and players found maggots, syringes, evidence of public urination and rubbish fires at the facility. The parkland adjoining the centre has no toilet or rubbish facilities. Ms Novic said the situation had become a serious health and safety concern that was getting out of control.

Ms Novic said the centre was scheduled to host a Queensland Pickleball Tour tournament, with around 400 players expected to attend, and that the ongoing situation was threatening both the event and the centre’s regular operations. She said the centre was at the point of having to close some courts indefinitely, despite its goal of showcasing the Moreton Bay area through major competitions.

Families at the site

One mother living at the encampment with two young children said her husband continued to commute to work and her children continued to attend school while the family lived in a tent. She described the experience as mentally and physically exhausting, with vehicles arriving throughout the night and frequent disturbances.

A long-term resident who has been living at the site since February said the number of tents had surged in the past four weeks. He said he was terrified about what would happen to families at the site, particularly the children, if they were moved on without alternative accommodation in place.

Council and state responses

A homeless camp in nearby Clontarf (Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay)

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery maintained that housing was the direct responsibility of state and federal authorities. He confirmed the site had been raised at senior meetings with the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works on 31 March, with council requesting that shelter accommodation be provided for those at the location. Mayor Flannery also advised that, as of 14 April, council officers had referred all individuals at the camp to the Department of Housing and relevant support services.

Read: Woody Point Rough Sleepers Face Strict Bans on Pets and Camping

State Housing Minister Sam O’Connor said Outreach teams were on the ground working to understand the circumstances of those sleeping rough and to connect them with support services and long-term housing pathways. He acknowledged that vulnerable Queenslanders, including families, were among those living at the site.

Published 23-April-2026

Queensland Expands Youth Housing with Redcliffe Project

Photo Credit: Foyer Au

Redcliffe will become home to Queensland’s first Youth Foyer in the Moreton Bay region, offering stable housing to young people aged 16 to 25 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Expanding Support Across Moreton Bay

The foyer will provide 40 self-contained units, along with 24/7 on-site support, enabling tenants to develop independent living skills while participating in education, training, or employment. The initiative is part of a wider effort to address rising homelessness in Moreton Bay.

In the past 15 months, the Department of Housing has helped over 450 households into social housing and provided rental assistance to more than 3,600 people. An additional $10.1 million has been allocated to eight Specialist Homelessness Services. These services provide temporary accommodation, tenancy support, and emergency housing.

Youth Foyer Model and Community Benefits

Youth Foyers offer a structured environment where young people can learn life skills and gain access to education and employment opportunities. Residents pay roughly 25 percent of their income in rent, with the average stay lasting around 18 months.

*Photo Credit: Logan Youth Foyer Support Service/Facebook*

The Redcliffe foyer is strategically located near public transport, services, and TAFE to maximise access to local resources.

Design and Construction Plans

Brisbane-based Arkhefield has been contracted to design the Redcliffe foyer, which will feature self-contained units, shared communal spaces, and private areas for support services.

*Photo Credit: Townsville Youth Foyer/Facebook*

This approach ensures a balance between independence and guidance, helping vulnerable youth transition smoothly into adulthood. The project is part of a broader plan to establish eight Youth Foyers across Queensland by the end of the term.

Community Response

Local council officials noted the growing challenge of youth homelessness and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to support vulnerable residents.

Community organisations have welcomed the initiative, noting the urgent need for more housing and stronger support services to assist local youth.

Published 13-October-2025

Suttons Beach at the Heart of H.O.P.E.’s Mission for Moreton Bay’s Vulnerable

Photo Credit: HOPE - Helping Out People Equally/Facebook

Suttons Beach has become the front line of grassroots support in Moreton Bay, where a group of local volunteers are giving away food, clothing and essentials to people who have nowhere else to turn.

Expanding Reach Across the Region

H.O.P.E. (Helping Out People Equally) was founded by two grandmothers, Dee and Kylie, to support locals facing homelessness, cost-of-living pressures and family crises. Their pop-up stalls at Sutton’s Beach run every Thursday and Sunday, with free clothing, bedding, shoes and toiletries available to anyone in need.

*Photo Credit: HOPE – Helping Out People Equally/Facebook*

The group will also hold an event in Strathpine on Sunday, 31 August, at the Officeworks car park on Gympie Road, with free food, clothing, children’s activities and even low-cost hair trims from volunteer helpers.

Stories Behind the Need

The need for H.O.P.E.’s services shows hardship is widespread in Moreton Bay. Dee and Kylie said regular visitors include older residents in tents, women sleeping in cars for safety, and families struggling with rent. One man in his eighties, who lost toes to diabetes, only wished for a bed and a warm shower.

The organisers say such stories are common, and their outreach aims to provide comfort, dignity and relief without judgement.

From Donations to Not-for-Profit

What began with the two founders collecting donations in their own cars has now developed into a registered not-for-profit, supported by groups including Nourish Street Inc and Northwest Community Group Inc.

The team still faces practical challenges, particularly the need for a larger vehicle or storage space, but community donations and volunteer help are keeping the service alive.

A Safe Place for Connection

H.O.P.E.’s events offer more than clothing and food. They provide a safe space where people can sit, talk and connect. Visitors are invited to bring a chair, share a meal and spend time together.

Dee and Kylie say everyone is welcome, and locals can support the group through donations or by reaching out their Facebook page.

Published 25-August-2025

Woody Point Unhoused Camp Shut Down Over Health Risks

A camp filled with rough sleepers in Woody Point will be shut down after officials from the City of Moreton Bay declared the site a serious public health risk, forcing the unhoused to vacate within seven days.

Human waste, drug paraphernalia, and vermin were cited as the key reasons for the move, stating that the area at the Gayundah Arboretum will require six months of remediation work costing more than $110,000.

Community Concerns and Council’s Decision

On Monday, 10 February, eviction notices were issued to around a dozen unhoused individuals living in the park. City officials, along with Queensland Police and the Department of Housing, oversaw the closure, with fencing expected to be installed to block access.

Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway said the decision was based on urgent health and safety concerns rather than a broader discussion on homelessness. She said using syringes, toilet paper, rotting food, and breeding mosquitoes posed a risk to the camp’s residents and the wider community.

Residents had previously voiced frustration over the park’s state, saying it had become unsafe and unclean. Some community members welcomed the action from officials, while others questioned the lack of permanent housing solutions for those being moved.

Impact on Unhoused Locals

For many of the park’s residents, eviction is another destabilising blow. Aiden Thomson, who has been living at Woody Point on and off for years, said he and others feel like they are being punished for the actions of a few.

Gayundah Arboretum — *Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay*

While some individuals at the camp may have hoarding tendencies, he said, the entire group should not be made to suffer. Thomson added that many will simply move to another park, as affordable housing options remain out of reach.

Jaki Rose, a 59-year-old hospitality worker, said she had been promised temporary accommodation but was given no indication of whether it would be permanent or suitable. She had previously been denied social housing because her income was slightly over the eligibility threshold, yet she still couldn’t afford private rentals in Moreton Bay’s soaring market. She described the situation as falling through the cracks, with no real pathway to stable housing.

Temporary Housing: A Short-Term Fix?

In a previous eviction at Woody Point, the rough sleepers were temporarily placed in motels for a food and wine festival. Some fear the same cycle will repeat—a short-term solution without lasting support.

Advocate Beau Heywood, from Nourish Street, said he hopes the housing provided this time is long-term and suited to individual needs. He has been working with homeless individuals in Moreton Bay for nearly a year and said the process of securing stable accommodation is painfully slow, with only 11 people housed in 11 months.

For some, temporary accommodation is not an option. Aiden Quinn, a long-time park resident, said he would rather stay on the streets than be placed in a motel, which he compared to a jail cell. Others pointed out that motel rooms lack basic facilities like cooking appliances, making them unsuitable for long-term living.

While Council insists the Woody Point eviction is a health matter, homelessness advocates argue that without proper support, those affected will simply be displaced again.

Published 12-February-2025

Redcliffe Residents Fear for Safety as Homelessness Crisis Escalates

Redcliffe’s public spaces are struggling to cope with a surge in homelessness as the number of people seeking social housing in Moreton Bay reaches a record high of 4,421, prompting urgent calls for action.

This escalating crisis, which has seen a 90% rise in homelessness over the past decade and a 250% increase in rough sleeping referrals in just two years, is impacting the safety and accessibility of public areas, particularly in Redcliffe. Council reports a concerning rise in illegal activities and anti-social behaviour in parks and public spaces, including drug use, assaults, and aggressive behaviour towards residents and council staff.

Mayor Flannery expressed concern that the situation was deteriorating, making it unsafe for residents and visitors to enjoy public spaces. He stressed the need for change to ensure community safety while maintaining compassion for those experiencing homelessness.

He indicated that the Council saw a concerning trend of some individuals taking advantage of their supportive policies, negatively impacting the community. He emphasised that the safety of residents was paramount and that this situation could not be allowed to continue.

To address these concerns, the Council is revising its guidelines on camping in public spaces, bringing them in line with those of other South East Queensland councils. This includes prohibiting animals in public spaces, restricting caravans and camper trailers for camping, and encouraging people to utilise designated caravan parks instead.

However, Mayor Flannery emphasised that the state government is ultimately responsible for addressing homelessness. He called for increased investment in social housing, crisis accommodation, and a greater police presence to manage the situation.

He stated that the State Government needed to take responsibility and deal with this situation and that communities were bearing the brunt of their inaction. He highlighted that the Council spent millions of dollars each year to manage the consequences.

Despite the challenges, the City of Moreton Bay remains committed to supporting those in need. The Council has implemented various initiatives to address the housing crisis, including waiving development fees for affordable housing projects, offering land to community housing providers, and investing in support services like the Peninsula Support Hub and the Redcliffe Sleepbus. These efforts have earned the Council recognition from Q Shelter, the state’s peak body for housing and homelessness.

Mayor Flannery concluded by stating that the Council was doing everything it could at the local level and that it was now time for other levels of government to step up and fulfil their responsibilities.

Published Date 19-December-2024

New Dawn for Community: Peninsula Support Hub Construction Begins in Redcliffe

Construction has begun on the Peninsula Support Hub in Redcliffe, marking a crucial advancement in tackling homelessness in the Moreton Bay region.

Read: Five-Storey Redcliffe Healthcare Hub Set for Development Across Moreton Hospital

This state-of-the-art facility, located at the corner of Portwood Street and Oxley Avenue, is set to become a cornerstone of compassion and assistance for those in need. The hub will provide a range of essential amenities, including:

A fully equipped commercial-grade kitchen
A spacious dining area
Modern bathroom and shower facilities
Laundry amenities
Secure locker facilities
Dedicated office space

More than just a facility, the Peninsula Support Hub aims to create a welcoming environment where anyone can enjoy a warm meal, access hygiene facilities, and find companionship. It’s designed to be a safe space that fosters community connection and provides crucial services to those experiencing homelessness or facing hardship.

Site of the new homelessness support hub in Redcliffe (Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook)

The groundbreaking ceremony, held last week, saw key figures come together to mark the beginning of this important project. Attendees included Michelle Gilchrist, President of The Breakfast Club; Major Mark Everitt from The Salvation Army; Mayor Peter Flannery; State Member for Redcliffe and Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath; and Councillor Karl Winchester.

Ms Gilchrist expressed her excitement about the project, highlighting the impact it will have on their current operations.

Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

“We provide over 1,500 meals each month to people experiencing homelessness or who are in need and this new hub will provide better facilities for us to create a safe space for everyone,” she said.

Ms Gilchrist also noted that the hub would address concerns raised by their guests, including food and housing insecurity, social connection, access to services, and mental health support.

The Salvation Army, one of the largest homelessness services providers in Australia, will also have a presence in the new hub. Aaron Pimlott, State Manager for Homelessness at The Salvation Army, emphasised their commitment to providing comprehensive support.

“Our services will provide individuals and families with a safe space to access support, as well as case management and referrals to specialist services, including housing,” he stated.

Read: Mixed Reactions to Suttons Beach Pavilion Rebuild Plans

The $6.7 million project is jointly funded by the City of Moreton Bay ($3.7 million) and the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program ($3 million).

Published 3-July-2024