MORE OF US ON STREET THAN EVER
SURFERS Paradise fixture David ‘Princess’ Buncombe has spent decades on and off the streets – and says nowadays there are “a lot more” sleeping rough like him. But despite city leaders’ concern at growing homeless ranks and calls for state intervention, State Housing Minister Mick De Brenni says the existing city and government support services are “a model for other networks in the state”.
“PRINCESS” is a fixture on the streets of Surfers Paradise after being homeless on and off for two decades.
David Buncombe, a bikini and tutu wearing cross-dresser who prefers to be called “Princess”, is one of the most recognisable among those who spend each night sleeping rough across the city.
Princess spoke to the Bulletin yesterday while he was curled up on a blanket in an empty shop doorfront in the heart of the tourism hub on Cavill Ave with his suitcase and four bags.
He said within the past year he had noticed “a lot more” homeless youths and adults – and police and security guards tended to leave them alone now.
“Up until about 12 months ago, police were always moving people for sleeping in doorways and begging in front of shops,” he said.
“Now maybe just the odd police officer will move you along. It’s like they allow it.”
Princess, 59, said he was kicked out of his Glitter Strip accommodation about nine months ago for “inappropriately dressing” and said he had given up trying to find a home again.
He believed he was likely to live the rest of his life on the streets.
Asked if he was worried about getting older and his health deteriorating, he said: “I don’t think about that.”
Princess, who said he lived on a pension he received for an illness, didn’t blame inadequate funding from State Government or lack of support from council for his plight.
When he was 40, he said he gave up his job in Tamworth and work on a farm to live on the Gold Coast.
Princess said others were likely to have a similar story.
“Half of them would tell you they want to live on the street. They have extra money to buy cigarettes and alcohol, instead of accommodation,” he said.
But he had tears in his eyes when asked if life on the streets was tough.
“No. I mean, it’s OK. I don’t really have any hassles,” he said, before telling of two recent incidents in which he claimed to have been dragged across cement and kicked.
The Bulletin also spoke to a middle-aged woman who had been sleeping under the Surfers Paradise beachfront sign.
Parts of her body were covered in large scabs oozing puss and she needed to cover herself with stockings to stop flies from causing further infection to the wounds.
Although everything she owned was in a trolley, she wouldn’t acknowledge she was homeless.