Marlborough locals concerned about lack of police after serious assault

Helpless residents of a Central Queensland town fear their community is descending into an unruly state, with one man viciously bashed while the nearest police officers are more than 100km away.

Locals are concerned about the lack of police in Marlborough after a man was seriously injured in an assault and police had to travel from Rockhampton an hour away.

A horrific assault in which an unconscious man was reportedly “gutter stomped” in the street has residents of a small Central Queensland town on edge, with concerns the nearest police station is too far away to help.

Fears over the safety of Marlborough have increased as three workers’ camps have set up nearby for the Clarke Creek Wind Farm and Shoalwater Bay Training Area upgrades, bringing more people to the remote community.

A resident who witnessed the gut-churning latest assault said he saw the unconscious victim gutter stomped while blood poured from his body.

The man said residents felt like they were alone in their time of need, with police having to travel 100km from Rockhampton to assist.

“Would have been nice to be able to ring a policeman. If there had been police here, they would have caught the perpetrators,” the man said.

“This is a quiet country community, our children can be in the street.

“It’s just lucky there weren’t families turning up for dinner the other night.”

Further concerns have been aired over a lack of a police presence at what is a notorious stretch of the Bruce Highway.

“This is a dangerous part of the highway. There are a lot of accidents, it’s a fatigue area,” the Marlborough resident said.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman confirmed a 41-year-old Rockhampton man was assaulted at Railway Street, Marlborough about 5.50pm on January 14.

The man was taken in a serious condition to Rockhampton Hospital for treatment for facial injuries.

Police have confirmed no one has yet been charged.

With police being forced to travel an hour from Rockhampton to attend, the scene was cleared and the perpetrator fled.

Marlborough police station.

Queensland Police Service was approached for comment regarding the vacant position in Marlborough and advised the recruitment was in process and the position was “expected to be filled in the near future”.

“The necessity for police presence across the Capricornia District is monitored regularly and resources are allocated as required,” a QPS spokesman said.

“The Queensland Police Service is constantly assessing demand and staffing across the district and will adapt our ways of working to meet the expectations of the community.”

Marlborough lies in the jurisdiction of Mirani in state politics under MP Stephen Andrew and Livingstone Shire Council in local government.

It is understood the township, which has a population of 154 people (2021 Census), hasn’t had a local police officer for about 12 months.

Livingstone Mayor Andy Ireland said the council was aware of the absence of police in the township and had been informed of the recent serious assault.

“Although these matters are the jurisdiction of the Queensland Police Service – Central Division, council has made representations to Central Command on behalf of ratepayers to have a permanent officer appointed to Marlborough Police Station,” he said.

“Council has been informed that the appointment of an officer to Marlborough has been approved, and is awaiting advice on the commencement date of this officer.”

The managing contractors for the nearby workers camps were approached for comment regarding the assault.

No workers related to any of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area upgrades projects were believed to be involved.

Workers accommodation under construction at the Clarke Creek Wind Farm site in July 2022.

It is understood the victim of the assault worked for a contractor on the Clarke Creek Wind Farm project.

No other workers from the wind farm project are believed to have been involved.

The workers camp for the wind farm is located 60km from Marlborough and 7km north of the project site.

At present, there are about 300 workers at the workers camp.

“The health and safety of our workers is our first priority,” a Squadron Energy spokesman said.

“We have clear policies governing what people do on our project site and at the workers accommodation, including a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of intimidation and violence, and we do require all our staff and contractors to be respectful in the community.”

It is understood Squadron Energy is now conducting an internal investigation, including contractors, in response to the alleged event.