Growing observations of unauthorised camping in Mapleton day-use areas have prompted community discussion about balancing enforcement, child safety obligations and compassion for those facing housing stress.
Residents have reported observing increased itinerant camping across multiple locations in and around the village, including Lilyponds Park, roadside parking areas, Mapleton Falls carpark, Obi Obi lookout and forest day-use areas.
The issue has drawn attention from local organisations including the Queensland Conference & Camping Centres (QCCC) Mapleton, which has raised concerns about its compliance obligations under Queensland’s Child Safe Organisations Act 2024.
Andrew Grant, Director of QCCC Mapleton, told the Mapleton and Districts Community Association that the growing prevalence of camping in public spaces near the youth camp venue presented practical challenges for meeting new regulatory requirements.
The Act, which came into effect on 1 January this year, requires organisations providing camps for children to ensure physical environments “promote safety and wellbeing and minimise the opportunity for children to be harmed”.
“Our concern is not ideological, but practical and risk-based, particularly given our duty of care obligations to children and young people,” Mr Grant said.
Community considerations
The matter was discussed at the recent MADCA general meeting, where members acknowledged the complexity of the issue.
Minutes from the meeting noted that a member raised concerns about the need to handle the matter sensitively, given people at risk of homelessness, with council agreeing to take a careful approach.
The matter was referred to Councillor David Law, who has committed to having council officers inspect the Lilyponds area and provide signage regarding camping.
Jon Bestwick from QCCC expressed concern that the problem could escalate with people using apps on social media to identify informal camping spots, noting that QCCC is exploring options to address online listings promoting Mapleton as an unregulated camping location.
The meeting also clarified that camping in national park areas is a state responsibility, with residents advised to bring any concerns to the attention of police.
Council’s approach
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson confirmed that camping is not permitted in day-use areas such as Lilyponds Park, but emphasised the distinction between illegal camping and homelessness.
“Council recently received a report of illegal camping/homelessness around Lily Ponds Park, and we are looking into the matter,” the spokesperson said.
“Council’s policy is to visit such sites and speak with those staying there, noting homelessness and illegal camping are very different issues that require different responses.”
For people sleeping rough, council officers work to connect them with support services through the Queensland Government’s Department of Housing and Public Works, which is the lead agency responsible for funding and delivering homelessness services, social housing and assertive outreach.
“We recognise that sleeping rough is a significant and distressing reality for some people in our region,” the spokesperson said.
For recreational camping in unauthorised locations, enforcement is more straightforward. Camping and overnight stays are only permitted in approved locations across the Sunshine Coast, with a fine of $333 for breaches.
Council data shows four complaints of illegal camping across the Mapleton, Montville and Flaxton areas in 2025, down from 11 complaints in 2024.
Regional housing crisis
The observations in Mapleton reflect wider pressures across the Sunshine Coast region and Queensland more broadly, where housing affordability has become the most rapidly growing cause of homelessness.
Recent national data shows housing affordability problems nearly doubled as a cause for seeking homelessness assistance, rising from 19 per cent in 2013-2014 to 36 per cent in 2023-2024.
More than 280,000 people accessed homelessness services in Australia in 2023-2024, with the Sunshine Coast recording over 1,205 people experiencing homelessness according to council data.
Charities report a disturbing new trend: four in ten people seeking assistance from major homelessness services in recent years were employed but unable to meet soaring rent costs, forcing workers into vehicles or informal camping arrangements.
Nearby Noosa Council has undertaken enforcement operations targeting similar issues, with local laws officers noting that some people camping in vehicles are local residents left homeless by the housing crisis rather than recreational travellers.
Online platforms such as WikiCamps, which allow users to share information about camping locations, can sometimes list day-use areas not designated for overnight stays, potentially contributing to increased usage.
Sunshine Coast Council has developed a Housing and Homelessness Action Plan, which includes initiatives such as a Public Space Liaison Officer role to support people experiencing homelessness in public spaces and the Street Up project, which involves people with lived experience of homelessness in policy development.
In nearby national parks and conservation areas, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers enforce separate regulations, with penalties of up to $2,875 for unauthorised camping.
Residents who observe camping in areas where it is not permitted can report it to Sunshine Coast Council through the council’s online portal or by contacting council directly. Council has indicated it will assess each situation individually to determine the appropriate response.
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