As homelessness continues to rise across Australia, local councils are increasingly finding themselves on the front lines of a growing humanitarian and policy crisis. From Queensland to Victoria, municipal authorities are grappling with the tension between managing public spaces and addressing the needs of a vulnerable population that has been pushed into the streets by a post-pandemic housing shortage.
The Enforcement Dilemma
In the City of Moreton Bay, residents of a public encampment live in constant uncertainty. Tamika Jamieson, who resides in a local park, reports having her belongings confiscated on five separate occasions. Her experience reflects a broader shift: as the number of people sleeping rough increases, many councils are moving away from welfare-first strategies toward enforcement, including the issuance of eviction notices and the consideration of fines for sleeping on footpaths or in vehicles.
The legal landscape surrounding these actions is evolving. Last year, the Queensland Supreme Court ruled that the City of Moreton Bay acted unlawfully when it dismantled a tent city in Lawnton. Justice Paul Smith found that the council’s actions failed to treat residents as “human” and that forcing people to move between locations without providing reasonable time or alternative accommodation was not a justifiable solution.
Did You Know? Research indicates that 67% of councils nationwide now identify homelessness as a significant or acute issue in their local areas, a dramatic increase from approximately 10% in the 2010s.
Community and Policy Friction
The debate has intensified in Melbourne’s Port Phillip, where community members remain divided. Some residents argue that encampments dominate public spaces and threaten the safety and wellbeing of the wider community, while advocates point to the psychological and physical harm caused by removing people from their established, albeit precarious, shelters. Queenie, a resident of a St Kilda encampment, noted that the loss of a tent—a primary source of safety during harsh weather—is both inhumane, and counterproductive.
Expert Insight: The cycle of clearing encampments appears to be a reactive measure to community fatigue, yet evidence suggests it often backfires. By disconnecting individuals from established support networks and increasing social stigma, enforcement can further entrench homelessness, making the eventual goal of securing permanent housing significantly harder to reach.
The Path Forward
While some councils are trialling the use of security guards and community safety officers to manage public areas, experts argue that these methods do not address the root causes of the crisis. Andrew Clarke, from the UNSW School of Social Sciences, warns that moving people on merely shifts the problem, creating a “domino effect” where surrounding regions face increased pressure. Advocates like Sam Tracey of Basic Rights Queensland suggest that the landmark Supreme Court ruling serves as a national notice to councils, emphasizing that the human rights of vulnerable residents must take precedence over amenity concerns.
Looking ahead, it is likely that councils will remain under intense pressure from both local communities demanding immediate action and advocates calling for long-term investment in social housing and non-coercive, frontline support services. As the homeless population continues to grow, the debate over whether to prioritize public order or individual human rights is expected to remain a central challenge for local government across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the Queensland Supreme Court case regarding the City of Moreton Bay?
The court ruled that the council’s dismantling of a tent city was unlawful, as it failed to treat residents as “human” and arbitrarily interfered with their right to a home.
Why are councils across Australia increasingly using enforcement?
As the housing crisis has pushed more people into homelessness, many councils are facing pressure from local communities to address public safety and amenity concerns, leading some to move away from welfare-based approaches.
What is the reported impact of moving homeless individuals on?
Experts state that enforcement often entrenches homelessness by disconnecting individuals from support services, causing psychological harm, and increasing the marginalization that makes exiting homelessness difficult.
What role do you believe local councils should play in addressing the national housing crisis?
