Calls for action as homeless numbers tipped to hit 3000

by Janine Hill

A register of homeless people on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa council areas is expected to reach about 3000 names.

Camillo Primavera has been distributing and collecting register forms in the Nambour region as a member of the My Place movement.

My Place is described as an Australia-wide community of men and women interested in learning about issues affecting people and the region.

It describes its goal as “to implement a project that allows us to step away from the current systems that are not serving our best interests”.

My Place intends to use the register as evidence of the scale of homelessness and to convince governments to provide housing support.

Camillo expects the register to gather the names of about 3000 people who are homeless, about to become so, or who have recently been homeless.

He who attended the release of the Sunshine Coast Council’s Housing and Homeless Action Plan on 27 July, said there seemed to be no consideration given to immediate action.

He said some changes to the council’s tiny home and granny flat by-laws helped but did not solve the problem.

“They passed a resolution that allowed more than one person to reside in there that doesn’t have to be a relative and gives people 18 months to stay there so they are coming up with solutions,” he said

“But I said to the mayor, ‘Have you considered what you are going to do right now, at this very moment’?”

“Right now, there are people living in tents and sleeping in cars.”

Camillo said the Nambour showground was designated as crisis shelter and there was currently a housing crisis.

He hopes to meet with council officers in the near future to discuss the use of the show grounds as a safe place for people to stay.

• Meanwhile, Mayor Mark Jamieson said, like many regions in south east Queensland and across Australia, the Sunshine Coast was experiencing significant housing affordability challenges and increased homelessness.

“Council recognises the housing crisis is a situation that is difficult to quickly rectify,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“The Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2023 will help build on our existing commitments and provide support for our community.”

However, at a recent meeting Div 5 Cr David Law said that while Council’s recently adopted action plan was a step in the right direction, he wondered what it would actually do to address the issue.

“If I speak for a homeless person who might be looking at this report and this plan we’ve put together, what’s changed?,” he said.

“What difference will there be for me tomorrow?”

His question was met with applause from the gallery which included Mr Primavera.