Up To 1200 Homeless In Our Region

Opinion piece

The Housing Summit has been and gone and the numbers are scary, with approximately 1,200 homeless in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaacs areas.  

We need the results of this to be more than just data collection. We need to see some action in the short term to address our deteriorating position. You can judge the effectiveness of the summit over the next six months through signs of reduction in the homeless in our region.

The current problems are caused by a higher-than-expected population growth, compounded by a slower rate of new housing stock coming online. This has led to declining rental stock and an increased rental stress due to rent increases.

This rental stress is being felt by all, with the most concerning area being pensioners and those on low incomes, as they have the least ability to cope with the rise.

We are also seeing a larger number of what I call the working class homeless – those who have come here to help fill our labour shortage but can’t find anywhere to stay. I have even spoken to one businessman who had an employee from out of town accept a role with his company only to decline it when he could not find suitable accommodation.  

The solution of building more housing is great, but let’s face it, by time approvals are done and materials sourced, coupled with the shortage of contactors, it could be two years away at best. Even then, our population growth may continue and outstrip our building rate and the situation will be the same.

So, what do I think can be done? Well, I really would like to see serious consideration given to some form of temporary mine-style accommodation as an interim measure. This type of initiative could provide a larger quantity of housing in less than six months. Yes, this would be basic accommodation, but it would be a roof over someone’s head and far safer than what many rough sleepers are currently enduring. Then, if and when the housing stock catches up, the sites can be decommissioned.

To achieve this, it will need the involvement of all three levels of government at ministerial level working together in a proactive way. Passing the buck or using the blame game will not solve the problem. Our ever-increasing numbers of homeless need help now.

Cr Laurence Bonaventura

Mackay Regional Council

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