Supreme Court of Queensland Hearing - Update

Published 10 December 2025

The matter heard on 8-9 December and currently before the Supreme Court of Queensland, between a number of individuals and City of Moreton Bay, is yet to be determined.   

The injunction applicable to six (6) individuals in the matter who are currently residing at Goodfellows Road remains until the matter is finalised and a decision is handed down.

Ultimately, this case is a legal argument about whether local government can enforce the local laws they make, not the validity of the local laws.

There are no winners from this situation, and no one will achieve a housing solution based on the outcome of this case, yet significant public resources have been consumed by this matter.

The applicants are not challenging the lawful making of City of Moreton Bay’s Camping on Public Land local law.

They are challenging the lawfulness and validity of compliance notices issued by our hardworking Council Officers.

In addition, the applicants are also claiming that disposal of items to rehabilitate public space and place is a breach of an individual’s human rights.

The purpose of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) (Human Rights Act) is not to inhibit all levels of government exercising the rule of law or provide an avenue where the rule of law does not apply.

City of Moreton Bay considers that actions by Council Officers to administer our local laws are valid.  

Council makes and delivers local laws for all in our community equally. Law making is a fundamental element of elected office and governments at all levels. 

Camping on public land, and the storing of goods on public land without approval, contravenes Council’s local laws.

Public spaces are not fit for habitation and people sleeping rough deserve secure accommodation.

Local Government across Australia is not funded or resources to provide public housing or shelters.

Council continues to work with the State and Federal Governments, as well as long established community groups, to support our most vulnerable and continues to advocate for the establishment of shelter networks and assisted living facilities, to help break the cycle of sleeping rough.