Blow for charity

HUNDREDS of residents have lashed out at Gold Coast City Council’s “heartless” decision to axe homeless charity services at a popular park in the city’s south just before Christmas.

Agape Outreach has co-ordinated free clothing, laundry services, haircuts, vet checks and biweekly meals for those in need at Coolangatta for more than a decade.

But the charity’s founding director Theresa Mitchell said it had been given its marching orders by council.

The group has been told to move from Goodwin Park to private property, and scale back its meals to once a week.

“It’s wrong, especially at Christmas – that makes it even lower,” she said.

Ms Mitchell said it was the fourth time the charity had been moved out of a park in the Coolangatta area.

“Our clients are devastated, they’re really beside themselves. They’re already feeling rejected and now council is throwing out the only people that turn up to care for them.

“I’m really upset, and really angry that (council) thinks it has the right to deny people those basics.”

A council spokeswoman said the decision had been prompted by a “significant” number of safety concerns about anti-social behaviour.

“The City has met with the operator of Agape to discuss concerns and the scope of their food services permit,” the spokeswoman said.

“The City asked that additional services such as haircutting and animal grooming – which never formed part of their food services permit – be discontinued.”

The Bulletin understands laundry services, run by Orange Sky, are not expected to change, as it holds a separate permit.

Agape Outreach serves 420 plates of food to residents at its annual Christmas party, and regularly feeds 80 people a night.

Ms Mitchell said there had been a recent issue with antisocial behaviour from three homeless people who attended the services and she had contacted council to develop an action plan.

“We’re not getting any (council) support, we’re just getting things made harder for us.”

Ms Mitchell said she was notified by council two weeks ago and told to wrap up aid before Christmas.

After a battle the charity has been allowed to keep operating until January 13.

A Facebook post announcing the news had already been shared more than 600 times by yesterday afternoon.

One supporter described the move as “incredibly cold hearted and ruthless”.

The charity is looking for a new home in the area.

ANN WASON MOORE, P10