Toowoomba council issues warning as rates of abuse, harassment against staff increases to highest levels

The rising rates of abuse and harassment suffered by council workers is a “major concern” for leadership, just a month after an employee was threatened with a knife over a parking ticket.

Toowoomba council workers and employees are being abused or harassed by members of the public at ever-increasing rates, according to a warning from the mayor and chief executive.

The council has revealed instance of residents threatening or abusing TRC staff are on track for their highest levels in years.

It comes just a month after a man was charged with allegedly threatening a parking inspector in Toowoomba with a knife over a ticket.

After reporting 51 incidents in 2022-23, up from just 26 the prior year, Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald said the current financial year would see the previous record eclipsed at the current rate.

Mr McDonald said council employees were also friends, family and active members of the community.

Toowoomba Regional Council's chief executive Brian Pidgeon says abuse of workers has been rising.

“The Toowoomba region is a welcoming community where we strive to treat people how we would like to be treated ourselves.” he said.

“Our people are our greatest asset and they have a right to do their work free from intimidation, abuse and threats.

Chief executive Brian Pidgeon said the recent increases in threats and abuse had been ahistorical.

“Prior to the 2020/21 financial year, council recorded less than 20 incidents a year where our staff members were exposed to incidents of this nature,” he said.

“Since then there has been a noticeable increase which is a major concern.

“In 2020/21 there were 26 incidents of harassment or abusive behaviour involving a community member interacting with council.

“In 2021/22 there were 29 reports and this jumped to 51 in 2022/23 with the figures to date for 2023/24 already tracking higher than any previous year.”

Mr Pidgeon said instances would be referred to police if necessary.

Regardless of the situation, these behaviours and interactions are unacceptable,” he said.

“These negative interactions can impact the health and safety of our people.

“No one should be subjected to abuse from someone else for doing their job and if necessary, we will refer matters to the Queensland Police Service where required.

“It’s my priority to ensure we’re doing all we can to make our staff feel safe and supported while they’re serving our community.”

The new statistics continues a campaign started by the council two years ago to curb the rates of abuse, including showcasing examples of abuse and threats caught on camera.

If a member of the community would like council to review a decision or is aggrieved by a certain matter, please contact 131 872.