'Nervous' residents on edge as vandals target vacant government homes

Residents fearful as vandals target vacant homes pending demolition on Sunshine Coast In short: Residents in a waterfront pocket on the Sunshine Coast are living on edge after a spate of vandalism and trespassing incidents at vacant houses. Dozens of rental properties sit empty, soon to be demolished for a massive new public transport network to support the 2032 Olympics. What's next? The remaining tenants will vacate next week, as the government negotiates to acquire the final three privately owned homes. Residents of a waterfront Sunshine Coast suburb have expressed fears after vandals targeted vacant homes due to be bulldozed for a major infrastructure project. More than 50 houses on the Mooloolah River in Mountain Creek will be demolished as the Queensland government races the clock to build a multi-billion-dollar public transport system before the 2032 Olympics. The state government acquired most of the homes a decade ago and recently ordered all tenants to vacate by August 31. Many residents have already moved out, leaving those who remain worried about their safety after a spate of trespassing and vandalism incidents. Police were recently called to one street twice in the same week after one luxury house was trashed, leaving shattered windows and broken walls. Residents on edge Diane Webber has lived in her home for seven years but has become "nervous" and suspicious of anyone entering the quiet cul-de-sac. "It's a bit nerve-wracking … hearing every little noise now and [wondering] who's out in the street every time someone drives up or rides a bike up," she said. "I've got security lights, so if anybody walks in it lights up like Christmas." Ms Webber said she has seen groups of youths walking through the area. "Young teenagers with nothing better to do than trash houses. One girl was still in her school uniform one day," Ms Webber said. "It will be a free-for-all once everyone's gone; there will be no-one near to keep an eye on things, so I wouldn't want to be around here then. "You don't feel safe anymore since all the others have gone. "I'll be happy when the 31st [of August] comes around, and we can go." Another neighbour, Tahlia Nosenzo, brought forward her departure date after hearing people in her backyard at night. Security measures bolstered In response to safety concerns, the Department of Transport is funding security patrols in the area at night, while police have also been seen driving around the neighbourhood. "These arrangements are being continually reviewed, and we will implement additional measures where needed to help deter unlawful activity and protect the surrounding community," a department spokesperson said. Contractors have boarded up windows and doors, leaving several streets eerily quiet. Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said he understood why people did not feel safe. "Any instances of those breaking the law are unacceptable and won't be tolerated,"he said. The Wave train and bus system will bring mass public transport to the region for the first time, allowing passengers to travel directly from the Sunshine Coast Airport to Brisbane. Loading...Mr Mickelberg would not say when the 52 homes would be demolished for the project, because negotiations to acquire three remaining privately owned properties were ongoing. "I don't want to talk about time frames because that will only increase the pressure on them over this process," he said. "Suffice to say we want to ensure that main construction and early works happen on these projects as quickly as possible." Police urge vigilance A police spokesperson said officers were called to Ewinga Court in Mountain Creek on July 29 and August 1 after reports of trespassers damaging vacant properties. "Further patrols and enquiries failed to locate any offenders [and] investigations remain ongoing," they said. Sunshine Coast police inspector Scott Wiggins said he understood residents' fears and urged those remaining to stay alert. "We like to feel safe in our own homes. If we are experiencing anti-social behaviour and damage to property, it does naturally make us feel unsafe," he said. "When neighbours are being vigilant, and they are reporting these incidents and police get called there, it does deter people from committing these offences. Housing crisis ripple effect The Sunshine Coast's tight rental market has left Ms Webber unable to find another house. "We're on not real good money … we're putting in application after application, and there's that many people," she said. "One real estate [agent] told us at one stage, 'We only look at the first six applications.' So what chance have you got? "We were running out of time and not able to get anything, so I made the decision we've got to go." After deciding the Sunshine Coast had become "too over-populated", Ms Webber settled on Ballarat. "It's a bit weird, [normally] everybody moves here from Victoria," she said. "I don't like the Sunshine Coast anymore ... it's not the laid-back place it used to be." And while moving house is a hassle, there is one upside of leaving a condemned dwelling. "At least we don't have to do a bond clean," she said.