It’s complicated, says homeless shutoff advocate | Inner East Review

When the local council cut power to Brisbane’s two largest tent cities, there was immediate criticism from frontline services.

While the park’s lights remain on, the outlets and electric barbecues at Musgrave and Kurilpa Point parks are no longer in use.

Warm food cannot be prepared and phones cannot be charged.

But as the council reports an escalation in violence and anti-social behaviour, some advocates are reluctant to criticize the decision.

“I think the complexity of Musgrave Park is difficult for the average person to understand. We simplify things all the time,” says Karen Walsh, CEO of Micah Projects, a nonprofit that works to end social injustice.

“We know the dynamics of the camps: there are relationship problems, there is often illegal activity going on that makes it unsafe for the people there and in the community.”

Ms Walsh said while communication from the council had been inadequate, people should not be distracted from the real issue.

“What we need is for people not to live in tents as a response to homelessness or the housing crisis.”

Brisbane City Council provided the barbecue with photographs showing drug use, fires and vandalism to justify the blackout, and also claims there were stabbings.

“The serious escalation of violence and anti-social behavior in these camps is incredibly alarming and power has been switched off for safety reasons,” said Sarah Hutton, chair of the city’s standards committee.

Others argue that cutting off the power will not solve the problem.

“The council wants to demonstrate to the community that they are doing something without actually doing any of the hard work of getting people into housing, or putting pressure on the state and federal government to invest enough money,” Greens MP Amy – said McMahon.

Advocates say these investments should urgently focus on improving safe housing for people waiting for long-term housing.

And there is a history of solving this problem, with proven solutions.

“Fifteen years ago we had 120 tents on the riverbank and 80 tents on Riverside Drive. This is not the only time in history that we have encountered this, we know that it requires very precise coordination,” Ms Walsh said.

The problem is that conversations keep going in circles.

“I think the election gets in the way of things, we have different political paradigms, different points of view,” she said.

The Greens argue that any action taken has been too slow.

“Labour is building social housing at a snail’s pace,” Ms McMahon said.

“They’re selling off public housing, they can’t do anything about skyrocketing rents and mortgages, and now they’re punishing the very people who are victims of their failure to solve the housing crisis.”

Ms Hutton, who was elected to Brisbane council in 2020 on the Liberal National Party ticket, accused the Greens of being soft on crime and “constantly opposing” new homes.

Park residents have had their power cut off amid uncertainty about how and when they will be able to move on.

Australian Associated Press