Josh Damon Handley charged with serious assault of ranger at Hervey Bay

A man whose alleged attack on a council ranger sparked a crackdown on homeless camps on the Hervey Bay foreshore has faced court on multiple charges.

The council worker was allegedly assaulted in Apex Park in Hervey Bay.

A man charged over the alleged assault of a Fraser Coast council ranger earlier this month has been remanded in custody.

Josh Damon Handley, 20, appeared before Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Friday, January 17, after being refused police bail upon his arrest.

Police will allege that while working at Apex Park on the Esplanade at Pialba, on January 6 a council ranger aged in his 50s was approached and physically assaulted by the Point Vernon man, who is believed to be homeless.

It is understood the ranger needed specialist medical treatment after the alleged attack.

Mr Handley allegedly also damaged a council vehicle.

Fraser Coast Regional Council chief executive Ken Diehm said the ranger had been responding to complaints made regarding a dog complaint.

He had been in company with another ranger and had gone there with the intention of registering the dogs for free, Mr Diehm said.

The council worker was allegedly assaulted in Apex Park in Hervey Bay.

He said the ranger was allegedly met with verbal and then physical abuse, despite his attempts to de-escalate the situation.

Mr Handley was arrested on January 16 at the Esplanade, Point Vernon.

He has been charged with one count each of wilful damage and serious assault of public officer performing function by biting spitting etc. causing bodily harm.

He did not apply for bail and the matter was adjourned until January 30.

In the wake of the assault, the council, support workers and police carried out a crackdown on rough sleepers along the Pialba Esplanade.

Mr Diehm said that wasn’t just a result of the alleged assault on the council ranger, but because of the significant number of complaints from the public regarding safety issues on the Esplanade.

He acknowledged homelessness was a significant issue for the community.

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