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Speaking on 4BC this morning, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said before cyclone Alfred, everyone sleeping rough in Brisbane was approached and offered secure housing.
“One example I got given, there was a particular day where 100 people were approached and only four accepted the offer for accommodation,” he said.
“I think we all have a great deal of compassion and empathy for people who are down on their luck and doing it tough.”
Tents in South Brisbane’s Musgrave Park.Credit: Courtney Kruk
Schrinner said when people were sleeping in tents in parks, it was assumed there were no options for them.
“The state government’s telling us they do have crisis accommodation available, and it’s being knocked back,” he said.
Schrinner said after the Moreton Bay City Council’s crackdown, homeless people said they were moving to Brisbane.
“We obviously can’t let that happen, you know, we’ve got enough challenges with the people already in the parks in tents,” he said.
“We’re now withdrawing the option to live permanently in a park in a tent.”
Schrinner said officials would begin talking to rough sleepers in parks today, and they would be given 24 hours to leave.
