Musgrave Park tent campers moved on amid safety concerns and needle discoveries

A large early-morning operation has moved on people camping at Musgrave Park in Brisbane's inner west, with authorities citing escalating public safety concerns and a growing risk to workers and park users.

The action follows reports of significant needle hazards at the site. Authorities say hundreds of used needles have been collected from the park since September, and more than a thousand have been collected across Brisbane parks during broader homelessness clean-up activity in recent months. The immediate catalyst was a recent incident in which a worker reportedly suffered a needlestick injury while cleaning near tents, prompting urgent safety escalation.

The clean-up operation involved heavy equipment to manage contaminated waste safely - a step officials say reflects the seriousness of the hazard environment. A visible police presence remained in place throughout the morning, described as a precaution to keep the peace during what can be a volatile moment for both displaced campers and frontline staff.

For those camping in the park, the move created immediate uncertainty. Some campers said they had little time to pack and had nowhere else to go that night. The emotional temperature rose as belongings were removed and tents dismantled, while other park users expressed concern about safety risks near playgrounds and public facilities.

The operation has again focused attention on Brisbane's housing pressure points - particularly the absence of stable pathways from rough sleeping into secure accommodation for people with complex needs, including mental health and addiction challenges. Community advocates argue that enforcement-only approaches shift the problem rather than solve it, while others say public parks cannot function safely when drug paraphernalia and hazardous waste become routine.

The bigger question remains unresolved: how the city balances public safety with humane, practical solutions that reduce rough sleeping rather than displacing it suburb to suburb.