Council CEO vows attackers will feel full force of law

A Queensland council CEO has warned that anyone who attacks or gets physical with councillors or workers will feel the full force of the law after a second council worker was attacked. WATCH THE VIDEO

Fraser Coast Regional Council CEO Ken Diehm has warned that anyone who attacks or gets physical with councillors or workers will feel the full force of the law after a second council worker was attacked on the Esplanade at Hervey Bay.

“The message is clear: violence and abuse against councillors and council workers is not acceptable,” Mr Diehm said.

“If you participate in that behaviour, we will find you, we will have you arrested, and we’ll use all our means necessary to make sure you are prosecuted.

“We are also seeing an increasing number of keyboard cowards taking pot shots at councillors and their staff members.”

The latest incident occurred when a ranger was responding to an illegal dumping complaint on the Esplanade, Pialba.

Apex Park was the location of January’s ranger attack, but council CEO Ken Diehm could not confirm the exact location of this month’s altercation.

When they arrived on site, they were confronted by a person who “seemed to be psychotic,” Mr Diehm said.

This person then rushed at the ranger and headbutted them, and was arrested yesterday.

Mr Diehm could not comment on whether there was a connection to January’s incident at Apex Park, but did confirm the person who committed the attack was a rough sleeper.

Along with the two assaults on council rangers, councillors have been verbally abused at community chats, while other customer service attendants have been receiving abuse in offices.

“From my perspective, constructive criticism is fine,” Mr Diehm said.

“We understand people may not always agree with what the council does, but let’s keep it civil.”

Mr Diehm confirmed security has been “beefed up” at the Maryborough Regional Library and the customer service centre.

Frontline council rangers are undertaking de-escalation and resilience training, with these sessions also being extended to current councillors.