Sunny Coast Sleeper coming to Nambour
Nambour will soon welcome a vital new support service for people sleeping rough, with the Sunny Coast Sleeper preparing to operate in town three nights a week from early next year. The Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre operates the service and has spent months securing support, repairing the bus and preparing it for relaunch.
The Sleeper is a fully refitted bus containing individual sleeping pods, which offers a supervised, secure and dignified alternative to bedding down in parks and public spaces.
Petitioner Helen Tagg said she would be at the Open Day to show her support for the initiative as a local safety advocate and Sunny Coast Sleeper working group member (a group facilitated by Sunshine Coast Council).
"It is a helpful step forward for our community which gives people experiencing homelessness a safe place to sleep for the night,” Mrs Tagg said. "Residents have consistently asked for safer, more structured options and whilst the Sleeper Bus is not a full solution to homelessness it is a welcome part of a broader coordinated response.
"Initiatives that offer safe, structured support are something I deeply value, and it is a credit to the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre for stepping forward to help deliver this for our community,” she said.
"The open day will allow the community to see how the service works and offer a chance to help provide a safe and secure night of sleep for someone in need. This is a fantastic initiative, though volunteers will be essential to support the service and keep it running smoothly.”
Ongoing and constructive discussions with Sunshine Coast Council’s Community Development team have resulted in a partnership that will see the Sunny Coast Sleeper operating in Nambour from early 2026.
Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre CEO, Mark Ellis, said that while the bus is not a permanent solution to homelessness, it plays a vital role in supporting people sleeping rough.
“Even one night of safe, uninterrupted sleep makes an extraordinary difference,” Mr Ellis said.
“Volunteers have described the transformation as chalk and cheese. People may get on the bus exhausted, overwhelmed, and short in their responses and by the next morning, they’re a different person. You could say they enter the cocoon as a caterpillar and emerge as a butterfly.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the Sleeper bus is a practical and compassionate response to a pressing issue.
“Nambour is a community that cares deeply about its people – when someone is sleeping rough, it affects all of us,” Mayor Natoli said.
“Sunny Coast Sleeper will give people a safe, warm place to rest and a chance to connect with support services.
“We need volunteers to make this possible – roles are flexible, training is provided, and even a few hours can make a big difference. If you’ve ever wanted to help, now is the time.”
The Sunny Coast Sleeper will operate in Nambour on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights and in Maroochydore Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights each week, with the support of trained volunteers and community partners.
Join us for a community Open Day
An Open Day will be held on Thursday 18 December 9am – noon at Anne Street in Nambour, coinciding with the Nambour Town Square Markets. Residents can meet the team, tour the Sleeper bus and learn more about how to help.
Division 10 Councillor David Law encouraged locals to take part in the event.
“The Open Day is a great opportunity to see the Sleeper bus up close and understand how it will help people in our community,” Cr Law said.
“Come along, meet the volunteers, and find out how you can get involved. Together, we can make a real difference for those doing it tough in Nambour.”
How to get involved:
Register your interest via the Sunny Coast Sleeper Volunteer EOI emailscsleeper2025@gmail.comFollow Sunny Coast Sleeper on Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre Facebook and Instagram for updates.Purchase a Give a Safe Sleep Christmas voucher to support the initiative at givenow.com.au/sunnycoastsleeper
The community is invited to join us on Thursday 18 December, in Anne Street, Nambour, to see the Sunny Coast Sleeper service up close, learn more about the service, or sign up for one of the many volunteer opportunities.
Sunny Coast Sleeper Open Day
Thursday 18 December
9am to 12pm
Ann Street, Nambour (display location only)