State authorities threaten legal action over council's homeless camp in park

A Queensland government agency has threatened legal action against the City of Moreton Bay for "illegally" allowing homeless people to camp at a public park.

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) issued the council a show cause notice, which gives the council an opportunity to explain why legal action should not be taken.

It comes after the City of Moreton Bay council turned Wyllie Park in Petrie into a free, designated campsite for homeless people in August.

An EDQ spokesperson said the site's lawfully approved purpose was as green space, and not as a homeless camp.

"EDQ has responsibilities under the Act to regulate and ensure land is used lawfully within the Moreton Bay Central PDA," they said.

"The Queensland Government has available a range of support services for those experiencing homelessness with over $1 billion being invested in support services and crisis accommodation over the next four years."

Wyllie Park is in the Moreton Bay Central Priority Development Area, which means it falls within EDQ's remit.

Government not consulted

In August, Housing Minister Sam O'Connor criticised the City of Moreton Bay's decision to turn Wyllie Park into a designated homeless camp.

He told 612 ABC's Breakfast program clustering vulnerable campers in one area would cause safety risks and strain emergency services.

"We had no idea and we weren't consulted on it either. We found out through the council's press release," Mr O'Connor said.

"We weren't asked about it, and if we were asked about it we would have expressed some serious concerns about this model.

"We've had other councils look at this and we've expressed that concern to them, and they haven't gone forward."

Human rights violations

In March, the City of Moreton Bay was found guilty of violating the human rights of homeless campers by evicting them and destroying their belongings.

The Supreme Court ruled that the council should not have evicted the campers when they did not have anywhere else to go.

None of the homeless campers involved in the court case had been offered social housing when they were threatened with fines and forced to move.

In August, Mayor Peter Flannery told 612 ABC's Drive program the camp would provide a place for homeless people to sleep without fear of eviction.

"We did learn from the court case that we shouldn't have been asking them to move when there wasn't somewhere else to go," Cr Flannery said.

"This is providing that somewhere else to go."

Evictions on the horizon

The Wyllie Park campsite was supposed to be a 12-month trial, offering 30 sites for up to 60 campers at a time.

The site would offer toilets, bins, lighting, CCTV, 24/7 security, and access to a range of government services and local charities.

Beau Haywood runs the charity Nourish Street, which feeds homeless people in Wyllie Park and across Moreton Bay.

Mr Haywood said he feared this latest news could mean another wave of homeless evictions.

"I'm disappointed in the Queensland government," Mr Haywood said.

"Although the situation in Wyllie Park wasn't perfect, it was thinking outside the square.

"My concern now is for the residents of Wyllie Park, and I really hope the Queensland government is planning on providing these people with accommodation."

The ABC has contacted the City of Moreton Bay for comment.