Residents in Caboolture are seeing urgent change after a police raid and swift action addressed a disruptive tenancy, just as Queensland’s crisis housing program comes under threat from costly property damage.
What Happened in Caboolture?
Earlier this month, police raided a property in Caboolture after repeated complaints from neighbours about disruptive behaviour. The search uncovered stolen property and led to several arrests, which triggered an immediate response from the Department of Housing.
The tenants at the address received a final warning, and the department began proceedings to end their tenancy. This case was one of four in Queensland where households received first and final notices for dangerous behaviour in the first two weeks of July, but the Caboolture incident stood out for its impact on the local community.
Officials said their response was focused on protecting families, the elderly, and children who call the neighbourhood home. The crackdown followed a pattern of complaints and police presence, which put pressure on housing authorities to act fast and restore community trust.
Crisis Accommodation at a Crossroads
The events in Caboolture are part of a much broader challenge across Queensland.
New data revealed at the recent budget estimates hearing shows nearly 100 families were evicted from crisis motel accommodation in the past year, mostly for aggressive or abusive behaviour or breaching motel rules. The damage caused by a small minority of tenants has cost almost $600,000, putting the entire emergency housing program at risk, with some hoteliers considering withdrawing their support.
At present, nearly 4,000 people are living in 401 hotels and motels contracted by Queensland to provide temporary shelter as the state faces a cost-of-living crunch and a waitlist of more than 50,000 people for social housing.
Housing Minister Sam O’Connor and department director-general Mark Cridland both emphasised that the vast majority of tenants do the right thing, but a small number jeopardise the system for everyone. The minister said repeated incidents and costly repairs have already seen some hotel operators step away from the program, reducing options for vulnerable families and individuals who need emergency help.
A New Approach to Community Safety
The swift action in Caboolture highlights how Queensland’s new policy on managing antisocial behaviour in housing is playing out on the ground. Under these changes, tenants who breach the rules—especially through violent or illegal acts—can be given immediate warnings and even face eviction if there is a pattern of serious disruption.
In the first month of the new policy, housing authorities issued 545 antisocial behaviour notices statewide, with 42 linked to serious or dangerous conduct.
Officials said these tools are needed to keep neighbourhoods safe and make sure that help remains available for families genuinely in need. They acknowledged the support of local police and the community in raising the alarm and working together for a fair outcome.
Restoring Confidence
While the immediate focus is on restoring safety and confidence in Caboolture, the housing crisis remains a huge challenge for the state.
Queensland has committed $8.1 billion to build one million homes over 20 years, including 53,000 social and community dwellings. More than 6000 new social homes are already under contract, with hundreds confirmed in the week after the most recent state budget.
Officials stressed that selling off social housing remains a last resort for properties beyond repair, and no full-scale sales program has restarted. The department is still reviewing its portfolio to determine which homes may be too costly to maintain, particularly in the aftermath of fires, natural disasters, or severe damage.
Published 1-Aug-2025
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