A DAWN eviction of four rough sleepers from a makeshift camp in Goodna has drawn sharp criticism from a leading local homelessness charity, which says Ipswich City Council acted without warning or compassion.
The group – three men and one woman – had been living in tents behind the toilet block at Evan Marginson Park.
According to witnesses, police swooped early last Thursday morning and removed the group, allegedly tossing their belongings into a ute and clearing the site.
The group had complied with previous requests to relocate out of sight, except for one individual who had allegedly become difficult to manage.
Helen Youngberry, founder of Goodna Street Life, said she was shocked by the eviction, which took place without the involvement of housing support services.
“That was those people’s home,” she said.
“You wouldn’t evict a whole street because one neighbour was a problem – why do it to the homeless?”
However, rather than address that issue, she said, the council cleared everyone.
“One person was causing mischief, so they wiped out the whole group. That’s not how you treat human beings,” Ms Youngberry said.
When asked about the operation, Ipswich City Council did not confirm the details, citing privacy.
A spokesman said council “refers anyone experiencing homelessness to the State Government and local support agencies” and only took compliance action as a last resort.
But Ms Youngberry said her organisation – regarded as one of the most respected homelessness services in southeast Queensland – was never contacted.
“They keep saying they refer people to support services. We are that service. No one called us. Why weren’t asked to be there to help?” she said.
Ms Youngberry also criticised the decision to evict the group on a freezing winter’s morning.
“At that hour, those people in tents would be just trying to stay warm. And suddenly they’re told to move on, with no notice, nothing” she said.
The mayor’s office said Teresa Harding was expected to meet with Housing Minister Sam O’Connor and the Homelessness Ministerial Advisory Committee in coming weeks.
But Ms Youngberry said that committee lacked lived experience and did not offer practical solutions.
“None of them have been homeless,” she said.
“We have. We’ve lived it. You can’t learn that at TAFE.”
The fallout from the eviction, she added, would now be left for charities to clean up.
“We’ll be the ones replacing tents and food. Government services work from 9am to 3pm – we’re there when no one else is.”
With rental prices across Ipswich soaring and vacancy rates at historic lows, Ms Youngberry said many of those now sleeping rough were not “chronically homeless” but simply priced out.
“You can’t find a rental on JobSeeker,” she said.
“These people aren’t lazy – they’re stuck.”
She said Goodna Street Life had proposed practical solutions to the council, including land for crisis shelters run by people with lived experience.
“We’ve put ideas on the table, but nothing’s been taken up. You want to fix this? Let us help. Give us the tools – and we’ll build it.”
She warned that until policymakers took grassroots voices seriously, the cycle of desperation would continue.
“They haven’t solved anything, she said. “They’ve just moved the trauma somewhere else.”
Goodna Street Life is collecting tents, sleeping bags and blankets for displaced residents. https://www.facebook.com/events/643184962111598/
Email rob@boonahnewspapers.com.au if you have a homelessness story.
