Have a heart, charity pleads
A GOLD Coast charity is furious that homeless people were kicked out into the rain, and possessions they couldn’t carry binned during an early morning raid.
The Movement organiser Ru Taylor said more than a dozen people were woken by police and city council officers at Cascade Gardens, Broadbeach, at 4.30am last Thursday and told to move elsewhere.
In response to the claims, the Gold Coast City Council said it was acting on a “significant number” of complaints about the group and illegal activity in the area.
Ms Taylor said while she understood move-on orders occurred, she called on powerbrokers to use more compassion when working with the less fortunate.
“It was wet, dark and cold and they were simply told to pack up what they could and get out,” Ms Taylor said.
“What they couldn’t take was binned. These were their only worldly possessions.
“I was shocked that they couldn’t have waited until the weather had fined up or it was morning instead of approaching people in the dark.
“We need more compassion, they might be homeless but they deserve to be treated with some compassion, not as second-class citizens.
“During COVID, these groups were left alone for longer because a lot of charities shut up shop. Now we are opening up again to tourists I can see why this (the move-ons are) happening, but when it does there needs to be more compassion.
“We had people who were extremely upset, more so for the time it was done and what happened to the items that they couldn’t take.
“These people don’t have much in the world, they were woken from their slumber and sent out into the pouring rain.”
A GCCC spokesperson said there were “significant and ongoing” community complaints about anti-social behaviour and criminal offences occurring in this area.
“The safety of all persons who wish to use this important public space, as well as access for City services, is a major priority for council,” the spokesperson said.
“Activities such as those recently undertaken at Cascade Gardens, by organisations such as the City of Gold Coast and QPS, are conducted when officers can safely and effectively address community concerns.
“All people engaged were offered an opportunity to take all of their belongings with them when they left the area and individual needs were considered, taking into account the safety of all parties.”
The QPS was asked to be present to provide support, but confirmed the action was led by GCCC.