Fraser Council CEO welcomes prison time for attacks on council rangers
A Queensland council CEO says prison terms for people attacking council rangers had sent a clear message that violent behaviour towards council staff would have serious consequences.
Two men have been imprisoned after separate assaults on council rangers.
The offenders appeared in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court in recent weeks, receiving sentences of 18 months and 9 months in jail respectively for the assaults, which occurred while the Fraser Coast community rangers were performing their duties.
The attacks resulted in a crackdown on homeless camps across Hervey Bay in January.
Fraser Coast Regional Council chief executive Ken Diehm said the jail terms were a strong outcome and sent a clear message that violent behaviour towards council staff has serious consequences.
“Our community rangers were just out there doing their jobs.
“These assaults were completely unacceptable. No one should be subjected to abuse or violence at work,” he said.
Mr Diehm said the council had taken steps following the incidents to review safety procedures and provide additional support for frontline workers.
“We’ve enhanced security at key council facilities, introduced more training for staff, and are continuing to work closely with police to ensure the safety of our team,” he said.
“These court outcomes reinforce that abuse and violence will not be tolerated — not towards council staff, not towards councillors, and not in our community.”
Mr Diehm also thanked the Queensland Police Service for their swift action and ongoing support.
“We will always stand by our staff and continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to aggression and abuse,” he said.
In January Mr Diehm said the action followed an alarming increase in violent incidents, criminal activity and property damage in areas in Pialba such as The Pines Park, Apex Park, alongside Tooan Tooan Creek, and the site known as The Kitchen near the all-abilities playground car park.
“This is not about homelessness – it’s about community safety,” he said.
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