Hopes are growing a service that provides temporarily relief to those impacted by the continuing housing crisis will be able to continue on the Sunshine Coast.
In January it was revealed that Sleepbus, which arrived on the Coast in January 2022 after a community campaign led by the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre (MNC), had been forced to wind up.
“This weekend will be the final operation of the Sleepbus service, leaving a significant gap in support for those experiencing homelessness in our community,” a social media post by the MNC said at the time.
But in a post this week, MNC confirmed it was working with Sleepbus and its founder Simon Rowe on resuming the service, which offers people a safe night’s sleep in a private, comfortable pod within a reconfigured bus.
“As many of you are aware, the Maroochydore Sleepbus service is currently on hold,” it said.
“In his latest video update, Simon Rowe from Sleepbus shared a charity partner has expressed interest in taking ownership of the service. That charity partner is the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre.
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“MNC is genuinely committed to keeping the Sleepbus on the Coast and ensuring it continues to serve the community.
“The MNC board and staff are working behind the scenes to move this project forward. We are focused on making sure everything is in place for a successful long-term relaunch.
“As you can appreciate, we’re taking the time to carefully navigate this process to ensure it’s done right, not rushed.”
The MNC post said it was now working with bus service provider CDC to conduct checks on the vehicle in preparation to potentially take ownership of it.
“The team at CDC Queensland has kindly agreed to assess the bus and provide a roadworthy report. We expect to receive that report by the end of this week or early next week,” it said.
“Discussions are also progressing with philanthropic groups who are keen to support the service – helping to fund its return to the road and ensuring safe sleeps for those in need.
“If the roadworthy report comes back positive, MNC will move forward with the ownership transfer as soon as possible.
“MNC is keen to take ownership of the Sleepbus, however, will do so in a manner that ensures the sustainability and success of the service.
“Thank you for your continued support and patience as we work together to bring the service back on the road and the relaunch a reality.”
Mr Rowe confirmed negotiations were ongoing regarding the Maroochydore service.
“The local charity partner there was having a board meeting this week,” he said in video posted on March 5.
“They are our only hope so if that doesn’t happen I’m not sure what’s going to happen to the Maroochydore service, but fingers crossed that it all works out.”
Sleepbus had four operational services, at Redcliffe, Hervey Bay, Queanbeyan and the Sunshine Coast, with buses also planned for Mackay, Ballarat, Taree, Bundaberg and Coffs Harbour.
A second Sleepbus was rolled out on the Sunshine Coast in November 2023. The distinctive pink vehicle, exclusively for women and children, has reportedly been unused for the past year.
