Council’s call for kindness as ‘threatening behaviour’ surges

Security guards, body-worn cameras and de-escalation training have been deployed by Sunshine Coast Council to help protect workers amid a rise in threatening and violent behaviour.

While the majority of our community shows respect and appreciation for Council staff, contractors and volunteers, there has been an increase in verbal abuse and physical assaults this year.

This is part of a wider trend being reported by organisations and businesses across the country and comes as National Safe Work Month shines a light on work health and safety during October.

Sunshine Coast Council CEO John Baker called for more kindness and respect for Council’s employees, contractors and volunteers.

“The people who serve our community deserve to be able to do their jobs without fear or harm,’’ Mr Baker said.

“We want everyone’s support in protecting the workers who care for our community.

“Council remains firmly committed to ensuring our people feel safe and supported.’’

Aggression on the rise

Mr Baker said the trend in aggressive and violent behaviour towards Council workers was concerning and unacceptable.

From January to August this year, 73 incidents had been reported, and this was almost the total recorded over the same period in 2024 and well above the 66 logged in 2023.

The data showed a rise in verbal abuse with 12 recorded over that period in 2023, 14 in 2024 and 20 this year.

Alarmingly, physical assaults have increased from none in 2023, to three in 2024 and five to date this year.

Mr Baker said they were having a profound effect on Council teams and their ability to safely conduct their work, work which greatly benefited the community.

“It is happening across the organisation, from customer service to parks and gardens, libraries, roads, waste, community facilities, contractors and even volunteers.’’

Mr Baker said Council was committed to working harder than ever to protect its staff, rolling out safety precautions, such as security guards at some locations, CCTV and even body-worn cameras where footage was only gathered and used as evidence in serious cases.

More training and support for staff

He said Council was also stepping up training and support services, including counselling, debriefing and “de-escalation’’ training, and encouraging workers to report any issues immediately.

“We are working to assist workers to better diffuse and cope with confrontational situations, which cause considerable anxiety and also force service disruptions that impact the community.

“Council staff are here to serve our community, but more are being subjected to threatening behaviour from some members of the public while going about their jobs.

“These are not isolated incidents. They are serious, and they are unacceptable.

“I hope, with our community’s help and support, we can work together to improve the situation. Kindness and respect are paramount.’’