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Forced to move on by council and police, a homeless man asks 'where can we go?' By Owen Sinclair April 14 2026 - 4:00pm
A group of homeless people told to move on from a public reserve have claimed they were left with nowhere to go.
On Friday, April 10, Tasmania Police officers told about five people sleeping rough in Brickfields Reserve to move on, following 'regular discussions' between City of Launceston council and police over the matter.
One homeless man who did not wish to be identified claimed 12 police officers arrived on Friday afternoon and told him and others in the reserve to pack up and clear out by that night.
Homeless camp at Brickfields Reserve. Picture by Craig George
"They told us to move on, in the rain. We've got nowhere to go, don't know where to go," he said.
"They (the police) came out of nowhere, 12 of them.
"They said, sorry, the council told us to move you on by today'."
The man questioned how it would be possible for the group to pack up in time.
Runner and ambassador for people experiencing homelessness.
"How can we move on (quickly), when we've got all this stuff we have to pack up?'"
It is understood police provided assistance in moving on some people engaged in anti-social behaviour.
In a post to his personal Facebook account, Mayor Matthew Garwood said there had been reports of illicit substance use and anti-social behaviour.
Tasmania Police did not answer whether it had received any reports about illicit substance use or anti-social behaviour at Brickfields. They confirmed seven police attended the job, rather than the claimed 12.
Inspector Aleena Crack said the City of Launceston has been involved in regular discussions with Tasmania Police regarding the matter.
"Tasmania Police provided assistance in moving on some persons engaged in anti-social behaviour," Inspector Crack said.
The homeless man denied anybody at the camp was disturbing the peace, but said there had been "debates".
"Everywhere where we've been - we've been kicked out around the town areas, and now we're being kicked out of here," he said.
"If we stay here, we're going to get done for trespassing."
The council was contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.
Mr Garwood said parks like Brickfields were not designed or safe for people to camp in long-term.
"Move on directions are not where things start, they are used as a last resort," he wrote.
"It's also important to be factual about Council's role. We don't control housing and we can't open privately owned buildings or place people into homes. What we can do is work on increasing supply and supporting the right providers."
Mayor Matthew Garwood. Picture by Craig George
Brickfields is one of a number of public spaces in Launceston where homeless people have stayed.
Kings Wharf, in Invermay, was previously a well-established camp for the homeless until last year, when campers were served eviction notices.
It comes as charities like City Mission report all-time high demand for homelessness services.
City Mission's most ambitious project in its history is set to break ground next month, unlocking 48 affordable and social housing units, a health clinic and charity offices.
An artist's impression of City Mission's proposed social
housing precinct in Launceston, viewed from
Frederick Street. Picture supplied
The charity runs a 24-hour shelter called Safe Space, which houses up to 33 people experiencing homelessness a night.
In 2024-25, the shelter accommodated 283 people.
City Mission's Operations Manager Emergency Relief & Housing Stephen Hill said demand for crisis accommodation is at an all-time high.
"At the moment our crisis accommodation services are full and have been for a while," Mr Hill said.
"People are encouraged to stay in touch daily so if there is a way we can help them, we can."
WENDY SAYS ... "If they have to moved on maybe Mr. Garwood could find them somewhere to go. There is land out there, who it belongs to is another thing, would they allow homeless to move onto it another thing . . . but lets think about this, I am just tossing ideas around . . . the deserted land where Becks use to be behind Kmart * it has plumbing *it should have power *sewerage (maybe all disconnected at present) . . . what about tidying up the land and purchasing a few containers and building small homes out of them, give them a coat of paint, wham people off the streets. I know it is not that easy but is it not worth considering, looking into and seeing if this would work. With containers part of the building has already been done. Put a call out to ask for decent, clean donations of furniture, bedding, kitchen items etc . . . people would help. Stop making these things an item of such massive red tape . . . it is simply helping mankind. Put a community vegie garden in so food is accessible, sell some to help with finances, of course this would need to be monitored, just something else to work out . . . but I think and would hope it would work."
A voice from the community
Good evening everyone
Tonight the weather was calm with a slight warmth in the air which gave a change from the weekend weather conditions. It will not be long until the -degree mornings pack us a punch with giving us a cold face and hands but more so those of our homeless community members who are exposed 24/7 require to be under a cover keeping the ice bergs off them and amenities provided.
Tonight's hot meals were prepared and cooked by our amazing clients at Multicap in Launceston 
Thank you so much these meals helped full many hungry bellies tonight
Thank you so much these meals helped full many hungry bellies tonight We food rescued from #jjsbakery and the Bizy Bee 
Thank you both kindly for your ongoing amazing support with providing left over bakery and takeaway foods which get distributed amoungst our homeless community members along with drinks
Thank you both kindly for your ongoing amazing support with providing left over bakery and takeaway foods which get distributed amoungst our homeless community members along with drinks A tent and a sleeping bag were given out along with items of warm clothing, knitted slippers and toiletry packs. Everyone who received support were most grateful 
Our volunteers urgently needed to use the toilet tonight when we arrived down at Royal Park only to find the doors locked and pinstripe tape on the metal bar doors. The toilet block is going to be demolished and upgrades happening in this space.
The mobile locker trailer needed to be moved so we went to move this only to arrive to find someone has kicked in the door of locker 19. We will endeavour to check our security footage to see if we can find out who has caused this unnecessary damage.
You can now find the Mobile Locker trailer situated on the opposite side of the Royal Park car park near the Telstra Public Phone box.
An update on Brickfields Park, there was not one person present there tonight but it looks like they are making an effort to move their belongings. Perhaps they are still making trips with removing items via a trolley, that is quite a lot of trips with the amount of items that were previously present. We hope that where ever they end up that they can set up and not be moved along any time soon.
We wish to thank all of our supporters past and present for your generosity of helping in so many various ways, showing real community spirit with giving to help so many people
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| https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-12/launceston-homelessness-rising/12345126 |
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| https://www.facebook.com/reel/4398423807095877 |
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Homeless camp on Kings Wharf Road near the Silo Hotel is/was growing..CLICK HERE |
Matthew 25:35-36 ... "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
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