The Brisbane-based, Paniyiri Festival has built a reputation of community spirit through its annual volunteer-run celebration of all things Greek.
Since last year however, the Paniyiri has been making headlines for the wrong reason, as more than 50 people living in tents in Musgrave Park, the site where the festival is held, were moved into emergency accommodation in the weeks leading up to the 18-19 May event.
As of last week, the park’s rough sleeper population was reportedly down to two tents.
It is unclear if the relocated residents will be provided any long-term housing solutions, or if the ‘tent city’ will be erected once the event ends.
Paul Slater who runs Northwest Community Group a grass roots registered charity for people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, has been engaging with former tent residents at Musgrave who were moved to emergency accommodation.
“I know of at least four people who have been moved into temporary accommodation as well. Unsure if any have been moved into permanent housing yet,” he told Neos Kosmos.
Paniyiri organisers say their hands “are tied”.
“I don’t want to see people living on the street but don’t blame us. We have no say in the matter” Paniyiri chairperson Chris Kazonis told Neos Kosmos.
The mission of Brisbane’s Greek community is “to help people” he added, noting that “everyone in the Paniyiri are volunteers”.
“We honestly have no idea where they take them, if it is temporary accommodation or permanent. […] It’s all controlled by the Department of Housing and the city council.”
They will be given a designated site in the park, he said, as the situation evolves to accommodate park-residents that remain and to ensure there is no disruption to their living situation there will be fencing around their tents.
The same happened last year, with people who called Musgrave park home given free entry to the festival and provided with meals for the two days.
“Like in 2023, we are working with the organisers (The Greek Orthodox Community of St George), the State Government and support agencies to ensure the Paniyiri Festival proceeds and support is provided to those sleeping rough,” a Brisbane Council spokesperson told Neos Kosmos.
Responsibility for providing appropriate accommodation for people experiencing homelessness lies within the state’s department for housing.
Since last year the department has run a dedicated mobile unit – the Critical Response Team (CRT) – to reach out to people living in tents in the inner-city area, including at Musgrave Park.
“Since the CRT was established in April 2023, more than 500 people have been assisted by the team” a spokesperson from the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works said in a written statement to Neos Kosmos.
No specific reply was given as to why a year had passed before the issue of people living in tents in Musgrave was addressed.
Neos Kosmos posed the question of whether a plan is in place for making sustainable housing accessible to rough sleepers that have been relocated from the park.
“The CRT has increased its presence in Musgrave Park, alongside with specialist homelessness services, to find housing options for the people living there,” the spokesperson said.
“The team has been working closely with services to ensure residents are matched with the accommodation type suited to their needs, and that they receive the support they need to transition out of the park while they are in temporary accommodation and case managed through to a longer-term housing solution.”
Micah Projects is the main non-profit organisation working with the state government to provide emergency accommodation to people experiencing homelessness in Musgrave Park and elsewhere.
Across South East Queensland there are reportedly more than 20 makeshift campsites and tent cities with an increasing number of people finding shelter in parks, under bridges and along the riverfront.
Musgrave Park is historically significant to the local First Nations population, a sacred site for the Murri People, which became home of an Aboriginal land rights protest in 1982.
Today it houses the Musgrave Park Cultural Centre. Speaking to ABC Radio Brisbane Breakfast in late April, CEO of Micah Projects Karyn Walsh said the relocation of people from Musgrave Park was not prompted by the Paniyiri Festival approaching.
It was rather linked, Walsh said, to a 20 per cent funding boost for frontline homelessness services under the ‘Homes for Queenslanders’ plan launched by the state government in February pledging to “Work towards ending homelessness”.
“What we hope is it’s not a festival that motivated this as much as this is what we want business as usual to be. And I think with the additional resources we can do a bit better than we were doing. I’m not sure we’re going to be able to completely solve the problem, we’re not magicians, but I think there are the resources available to help us make a difference more quickly.
“We don’t want people having to rely on living in tents in public spaces as much as they don’t want it.”
Paul Slater of Northwest Community Group, who was been working closely with Nicah Projects to help Musgrave Park residents, echoes the call for action.
“Housing should be a human right. We need consistent access to emergency and temporary housing. We need wraparound support for those with complex mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
“The residents just want safe and secure housing. They want permanent housing.”
In Queensland, anyone who needs housing assistance can contact their Housing Service Centre during business hours or the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.
