Townsville City Council to adopt new Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan for a “safer city”

In a bid to tackle issues around the city including anti-social behaviour, homelessness, graffiti and community safety, Townsville City Council are set to implement their new safety plan.

Council's City Safe patrol officers.

In a bid to tackle issues around Townsville including anti-social behaviour, homelessness, graffiti and community safety, while also considering mental health and wellbeing, Townsville City Council is planning to adopt it’s new safety plan.

After conducting community engagement activities such as the Liveability Survey in 2024 and the Wellbeing Survey in 2025, Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan was formed by responses from residents on their top safety concerns.

Joining together with Queensland Police, frontline services and their own patrol staff, the council will apply for $400,000 in grant funding from the state government’s recently announced Secure Communities Partnership Program to ensure the plan can be rolled out.

“Community safety and wellbeing is a cornerstone of a healthy city,” Cr Greaney said.

She said the plan outlines goals and strategies for both council and their partners, including government and non-government agencies, to implement over the next five years, supporting a “holistic and sustainable approach to community safety and wellbeing.”

“This new funding opportunity means we can increase safety measure by stretching our own budget further if we are successful — reallocating existing funds toward other safety measures like graffiti reduction, anti-social behaviour prevention and CCTV expansion,” she said.

The new plan has been welcomed the Townsville Chamber of Commerce, with chief executive Heidi Turner saying they have been advocating for improved safety across the city.

“We know how much crime and anti-social behaviour impact local businesses,” she said.

“Real and lasting improvement requires a joined-up approach — bringing together all levels of government, law enforcement, social services, businesses and the community — so it’s great to see that collaboration at the heart of this plan.”

Labelling the plan a “good first step”, Townsville MP Adam Baillie MP said the Community and Safety Wellbeing Plan is a good first step towards implementing long-term solutions for the city.

“Public intoxication, homelessness and mental health are complex issues and there is no silver bullet. But that doesn’t mean we sit on our hands. We need bold action and fresh thinking to tackle these problems head-on,” Mr Baillie said.

The Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan 2025–2030 will be considered for adoption at the upcoming Council meeting on 18 June.

Originally published as Townsville City Council to adopt new Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan for a “safer city”