Townsville CBD: Premier jets in for crisis talks

With the goal of curbing anti-social behaviour, public intoxication and revitalising Townsville’s CBD, Premier David Crisafulli heard first-hand from residents who say it’s time for “real change” and not just another talkfest.

Premier David Crisafulli speaks in Townsville.

With the goal of curbing anti-social behaviour, public intoxication and revitalising Townsville’s CBD, Premier David Crisafulli heard first-hand from residents who say it’s time for “real change” and not just another talkfest.

The premier was joined by Townsville’s three MP’s Janelle Poole, Natalie Marr and Adam Baillie on Tuesday morning, as the government hosted a forum to listen the concerns of the community with representatives from the Townsville City Council, Queensland Police, Townsville Hospital and Health Service and other stakeholders in attendance.

A workshop into public intoxication was held in Townsville on July 22, with the Premier in attendance.

Hospitality and hotel business owner Jamie Fitzpatrick, who has worked in the CBD for over a decade said not a lot had changed and that the CBD is not Townsville “putting it’s best foot forward”.

He hopes to see real change instead of another “talkfest.”

“The CBD is not a great representation of our city, unfortunately, and I don’t think that’s a secret,” he said.

“I’ve sat in on a number of these workshops over many years and what we have been doing in the past simply isn’t working.”

Premier David Crisafulli speaks in Townsville.

“It’s time for some real change and real decision making based on our CBD and to get people working and living back in that area of Townsville, which can be a massive asset to us if we utilise it properly.”

The former Labor government decriminalised public intoxication, public urination and begging in September 2024.

When asked if he thought the laws should be strengthened, Mr Crisafulli said he had made his position on it “pretty clear” last year.

“I think it would be a retrograde step,” he said.

A workshop into public intoxication was held in Townsville on July 22, with the Premier in attendance.

Stats from Queensland Police show there have been 426 incidents of trespassing or vagrancy in the district since the start of the year, compared to 630 for all of last year, and 666 in 2023.

In March last year, the Townsville Bulletin revealed that the popular restaurant A Touch of Salt had been targeted by anti-social behaviour numerous times, including being subject to graffiti and attacks.

Mr Crisafulli said he wanted to reaffirm that safety where you live was important to the government.

“It’s something we spoke a lot about in the lead up to the election and it’s obviously something we can continue to focus on,” he said.

Managing Director of FGH Group Jamie Fitzpatrick speaking on the state of Townsville's CBD and surrounds.

“We’ve had a big focus on youth crime, but anti-social behaviour is also something that’s very important and increasing, we are getting feedback from areas like Townsville and Maryborough CBD about the anti-social behaviour and what it’s meaning for people’s lifestyles and the impacts on the business environment.”

Mr Crisafulli said the aim of the workshops was to listen to the people who “live and breathe” the issue and also provide solutions to it.

“One thing for certain is we can’t enable a problem to continue to get worse,” he said.

He also spoke on the collaboration between reducing anti-social behaviour and providing mental health, housing and drug rehabilitation support for those in crisis.

A workshop into public intoxication was held in Townsville on July 22, with the Premier in attendance.

“I see the challenge of supporting people with mental health as high as being able to police those people who are doing the wrong thing,” he said.

“Neither of those are working at the moment.”

Townsville MP Adam Baillie said he has been approached by CBD traders, employees and residents about the rampant anti-social behaviour that occurs on daily basis, noting that is spreading from the CBD to other areas of town.

“ … Its an issue that has been bubbling away for years in Townsville and it’s an issue that we believe we can address with the right community and collaboration across various state departments and non-government organisations, council and CBD owners,” he said.

“This has been called for loud and clear.”

Originally published as Townsville CBD: Premier jets in for crisis talks