The homelessness crisis affecting most regions across Australia, including the Sunshine Coast has reached levels that have not been seen in the history of Australia. The ongoing and tireless effort of community groups is recognised, appreciated and remains essential. However, a growing number of people in need are economically disadvantaged families, single parents, vulnerable single women and young adults, and there still seems to be a shortage of solutions.
The current supply of housing and accommodation remains out of sync with the humanitarian needs of the wider population.
The Community Village project aims to address the issues of access to flexible forms of accommodation in the region and harness valuable resources and volunteer assistance within the community to bring effective solutions to those in need. This is the mechanism by which the community will be delivering assistance in the midst of what the U.N. aptly refer to as a humanitarian crisis.
Once operated as a TAFE college, and now abandoned, the Community Village project, aims to operate as an essential and much needed space for people living in tents, cars, vans and caravans, to park and access toilets, showers and laundry facilities, and transition to portable eco housing pods that will be situated throughout the village.
With with help from volunteers and public donations and the first stage cleaned up, will help bring essential facilities forward. Further repurposing and use of existing buildings can provide facilities that include multipurpose & communal areas, mobile health services, village kitchen, tuition spaces, coffee shop, local meeting place and indigenous cultural space.
Community Village is a project steered by the Qld Homelessness Working Group. The plan to create a sanctuary for people without a home until they can get back on their feet, is considered possible due to Kabi Kabi Senior Elder Aunty Bucky Dha’Khan Tuk’ku, granting use of the land under the Caretaker Notice of Appointment dated 11 day of December in the year Two Thousand and Twenty Three. (2023).
https://aiatsis.gov.au/publication/116668
This is land of the sovereign (non-corporate) “traditional owners” under Aboriginal Grandmothers Lore, consistent with the Grandmothers Lore Notice served upon Queensland State Government December 2023.
Overview of Project Goals
- EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION (utilising existing buildings, grounds & facilities)
- ONSITE VILLAGE SPACES (temporary place to stay for displaced people)
- SUPPORT “WRAP AROUND” SERVICES (transitional housing, assistance programs with jobs & counseling, community care groups, food vouchers/hand outs & support, health and medical)
- ONSITE HEALTH AND MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS (doctor/nurse, natural medicine, healing)
- HOME SCHOOLING FACILITIES
- LOCAL BUS SERVICE (free pass or discount for residents, Council subsidized)
- COMMUNITY GARDENS, EDIBLE LANDSCAPING, FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM
- PET FRIENDLY AREAS (nature walks, fenced off leash play area)
- VILLAGE EVENTS (held monthly eg: craft, art classes, health & healing classes, chess and games programs)
- LOW COST ACCOMMODATION (eco design, compact, short term, transportable)
A place for the homeless that offers flexible accommodation in a safe & respectful village environment on land sacred to the sovereign Kabi Kabi Peoples. Community Village Tewantin, will provide a sanctuary of safety, support and assistance for those in our community that need somewhere to live urgently, or require help to move back into long term accommodation. Activity and people onsite offers the benefit of security to prevent further vandalism, while removing harm and social hazards from the community under a broader OH&S perspective.