‘Campers’ by choice, not to be confused with homeless

THIS article (GCB, Sat July 18, P29) has only just been brought to my attention.

Firstly, let’s not mix up genuine homeless people with the ‘street people’ from Cascade Gardens.

They are not homeless as Ms Taylor from The Movement refers to them as, they choose this life style.

The GCCC approached this group at least one month prior to them being removed from Cascade Gardens as they had been there since before Easter and they point blank refused to move on.

The Movement would have been well aware that GCCC was under pressure to move them along. Local families want to enjoy the facilities in peace and harmony not have drugs, drunken behaviour and fist fights happening around them with the police called frequently.

They have now moved to Neddy Harper Park where they enjoy prime main river outlook by turning this park into their own private camping ground.

They feel entitled to live whereever they choose as long as it’s free. They have no intention of making a commitment to pay rent or a campsite in a caravan park as this means spending their money.

Why should they when they can live for free. Free power from BBQ areas, free daily cleaned toilet facilites, free clothing & shoes, blankets , tents and sleeping bags, the list goes on. Even their food is free delivered nice and hot by charities such as The Movement.

Yes, they don’t even have to make the effort to go and get hot food where they might actually get in touch with counsellors for guidance to make a plan to move forward to get a job and get off the street.

They keep their dole money for cigarettes, alcohol, mobile phone plans and of course drugs.

Maybe Ms Taylor and other people who feel so sorry for these ‘street people’ should invite them to live in their front yard and enjoy your push bike being pinched, car being broken into, loud music, rubbish laying around, belongings that turns into a shopping trolley, then two trolleys etc and of course the pungent smell of urine from when they are either too lazy, to drunk or too stoned to even use the toilet facilities nearby.

Street people are working the system and rate payers are footing the bill.

Y CAMPBELL, SURFERS PARADISE