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Community Safety and Wellbeing

Creating a safer, more welcoming community is a shared responsibility, and we're here to help. This page provides guidance for residents, businesses, and visitors on how to report concerns to Council, including incidents of graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

Learn how our Community Safety Team works alongside authorised officers, external security providers, and key stakeholder partnerships to respond swiftly and respectfully. You'll also find information on relevant documents, reporting channels, and how we manage public spaces to support wellbeing and inclusion.

Whether you're raising a concern or seeking support, we're committed to working with you to foster a vibrant, safe Townsville for everyone.

Reporting to Council

When community issues or concerns are identified, the Council has established a streamlined and effective reporting mechanism to ensure timely resolution. Residents can report issues directly through the following channels:

Phone: Call the Council on 13 48 10 for immediate assistance and to report any community-related concerns.
Snap Send Solve App: For added convenience, the Snap Send Solve app provides an easy-to-use platform for reporting issues. This app can be downloaded for free from the App Store (for iOS users) or Google Play Store (for Android users).

Once an issue is reported through the Snap Send Solve app, users are able to track the progress of their reported matter. The app provides updates on the status of the complaint, so residents are kept informed on how the Council is addressing the issue. Additionally, when the matter is resolved, the app will send a notification to the reporter, advising them of the outcome and confirming that the issue has been addressed to satisfaction.

This efficient system ensures transparency, accountability, and continuous communication between the community and the Council, promoting a well-maintained and responsive local environment.

Syringe Collection and Disposal

Council offers a 24-hour needle and syringe collection service to ensure public safety and maintain cleanliness in our community spaces. If any member of the public discovers a needle or syringe in a Council-owned or managed area, they can contact Council at any time, and an officer will be dispatched to promptly remove the item.

For an efficient and swift response, when reporting the presence of a needle or syringe, it is essential to provide clear and precise information regarding the exact location of the item. This will enable the officer to locate and safely remove it as quickly as possible, minimising any potential risk to public health and safety.

To report a needle or syringe, the community can reach out to Council through the following contact methods:

Call 13 48 10 or use online chat
Snap Send Solve App
Report a Problem

Community Safety Team

The Community Safety Team is an integral unit within the Council, operating under the Emergency Management and Community Safety Portfolio. This team is composed of highly skilled and dedicated professionals who work collaboratively to promote and enhance the safety, security, and well-being of the community. With a focus on proactive measures and responsive actions, the team plays a pivotal role in maintaining a safe living environment for all residents.

The key roles and responsibilities of the Community Safety Team include, but are not limited to:

Leading Community Safety initiatives within Council
Developing and maintaining Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan 2025-2030
Community Safety Audit 2023 – implement recommendations from Audit
Community Safety Reports / Information requests
Represent Council in Restorative Justice Conferences
Manage CCTV trailer requests and deployments
Managing and overseeing the external facing security contract for Council

Council External Security

The Community Safety Team plays a pivotal role in overseeing the security operations for Council, holding responsibility for managing the security contract with Heightened Security Services. This established partnership ensures that all external security matters for Council are efficiently handled by a trusted and professional service provider. Heightened Security Services offers a comprehensive range of security solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of Council. These services include, but are not limited to, the operation of the Community Safety Vehicle, CCTV monitoring services, Riverway Security, CBD Patrols, Library Security, Asset Protection, and the provision of security personnel for Council meetings and other high-profile events.

In order to maintain a streamlined process for service delivery, any complaints, or inquiries related to the services provided by Council security, all inquiries must be directed through Council. For further assistance or inquiry requests, Council can be reached at 13 48 10.

Authorised Persons

The officers assigned to operate the Community Safety Vehicle are highly trained in the provisions of Local Laws 1, 4, and 51 and are designated as authorised persons, granting them the legal authority to enforce these laws. These local laws were introduced to ensure the safety and well-being of the community, safeguard public spaces, and maintain cleanliness by addressing issues such as littering, illegal camping, and the consumption of alcohol in public areas. By upholding these regulations, the officers contribute to creating safer and more enjoyable public spaces for all community members.

Local Law 1 governs the administration of local laws, outlining the authority and responsibilities of authorised persons in enforcing these rules. Among its provisions, Local Law 1 specifically authorises these officers to collect abandoned property and properly dispose of it, ensuring public areas remain free from waste and potential hazards. Local Law 4 provides authorised persons with the power to prevent and address illegal camping in parks and open spaces. While they do not have the authority to remove individuals engaged in illegal camping directly, they are responsible for notifying and seeking assistance from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to resolve the issue. Local Law 51, meanwhile, grants authorised persons the authority to confiscate alcohol being consumed in public areas such as parks or open spaces, but only if the alcohol is in plain sight and not concealed. This law is intended to help maintain order and public safety in recreational areas.

It is a key requirement that authorised persons always display their Authorised Persons card while performing their duties. Additionally, when enforcing any of the above local laws, officers are obligated to clearly identify themselves and explain which specific local law they are acting under. This commitment to transparency and accountability ensures that the enforcement of local laws is carried out professionally, consistently, and in a manner that respects the rights of the public while maintaining safety and order in the community.

Community Safety Documents

The Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan is a comprehensive and detailed strategic document that outlines the overarching direction Council is taking to enhance safety and wellbeing within the community. This document presents a framework of high-level goals and objectives aimed at fostering a safer and more cohesive environment throughout the Townsville Local Government Area (LGA). They serve as guiding instruments for the development and implementation of initiatives focused on improving public safety, community health, and overall wellbeing.

The Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan details a clear roadmap for achieving these objectives, specifying the methods, resources, and partnerships required to ensure successful outcomes. In addition to Council’s efforts, the document also incorporates the objectives and strategies of other key stakeholders, including both government and non-government agencies, that play a vital role in enhancing the community. These collaborative efforts are critical to achieving the broader goals of the plan and ensuring that the community is supported through a coordinated approach to safety and wellbeing.

Community Safety Plan 2025 - 2030 (PDF, 691.5 KB)

Graffiti Management

During routine patrols of the community, parks, and open spaces, the Community Safety Vehicle (CSV) team is responsible for identifying and addressing instances of illegal graffiti on Council-owned assets. In cases where graffiti is observed, the CSV team will take immediate action to attempt removal of the graffiti, ensuring that any potential damage to public property is minimised. In addition, the team will promptly report the incident to the police to ensure that the details of criminal activities within Council-managed areas are documented, enabling accurate tracking and analysis of incidents.

If the CSV team is unable to remove the graffiti due to its size or the need for specialised removal techniques, Council will deploy a dedicated team of graffiti removal specialists to address the issue. These specialists are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively remove graffiti, adhering to established standards and best practices.

Council has established specific time frames for the removal of graffiti. These time frames are designed to ensure that graffiti is addressed in a timely and efficient manner, maintaining the aesthetic quality and safety of public spaces.

By systematically addressing graffiti through this process, Council upholds its commitment to maintaining clean, safe, and welcoming public spaces for the entire community.

Anti-Social Behaviour

When incidents of anti-social behaviour are identified within parks and open spaces, Council will assess whether the Community Safety Vehicle is equipped to manage the situation, or if it needs to be escalated to the Queensland Police Service. CSV team will be dispatched to the location to evaluate the circumstances, provide referrals to relevant government and non-government organisations, and determine whether QPS, Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), or any other appropriate agency needs to be involved.

Any reports of anti-social behaviour should be promptly reported to Council for their awareness, further action, and coordination of future interventions in the area.

Rough Sleepers

Council plays a vital role in addressing the issue of rough sleepers within our community, ensuring their safety and well-being is protected while also connecting them to necessary support services. When reports of rough sleepers are received, Council responds promptly by deploying the Community Safety Vehicle (CSV) to attend the location and engage directly with the individuals involved. The CSV team is trained to approach these situations with compassion and professionalism, providing rough sleepers with information on the various services available to them, such as shelter, food, and healthcare, as well as guidance on safer areas to stay.

In addition to providing support and information, the CSV team is authorised to enforce Local Law 4, which pertains to illegal camping in public spaces. If rough sleepers refuse to vacate the area when requested, the CSV team has the authority to report the incident to the Queensland Police Service (QPS), who will attend and offer the necessary assistance, which may include enforcing the law or facilitating access to further support services.

The CSV team is also equipped to provide referrals to both government and non-government organisations that specialise in assisting individuals experiencing homelessness. These referrals ensure that rough sleepers have access to the resources and support they need to improve their circumstances. The primary objective of this process is to ensure that rough sleepers are safe, that their dignity is preserved, and that they are receiving the appropriate assistance in a respectful and effective manner.

Stakeholder Partnerships

Council collaborates closely with a diverse range of stakeholder organisations within the community to ensure that initiatives, programs, and strategic plans are not only aligned with the needs and expectations of the community but are also responsive to its evolving challenges. Through these partnerships, the Council gains invaluable insights into the concerns, priorities, and aspirations of local residents, enabling it to develop and implement solutions that directly address these issues.

By fostering strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders, Council can take a comprehensive and inclusive approach to community engagement. These stakeholders encompass a broad spectrum of entities, including government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and various community-based organisations, all of which contribute to a holistic understanding of community needs.

Through this collaborative process, the Council ensures that its efforts are effective, relevant, and sensitive to the dynamic needs of the community, fostering greater resilience and well-being across all sectors. Stakeholder partnerships include: