Sunshine Coast Council is stepping up protection for its staff, volunteers and contractors amid increased reports of verbal abuse and physical assaults.
Measures include security guards, body-worn cameras and de-escalation training as the council urged the community to show respect.
It comes as National Safe Work Month shines a light on work health and safety.
Sunshine Coast Council CEO John Baker called for more kindness.
“The people who serve our community deserve to be able to do their jobs without fear or harm,” he said.
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“We want everyone’s support in protecting the workers who care for our community.
“Council remains firmly committed to ensuring our people feel safe and supported.”
Mr Baker said the trend in aggressive and violent behaviour towards council workers was concerning and unacceptable.
From January to August, 73 incidents were reported – matching the total recorded during the same timeframe last year and above the 66 logged in 2023.
The data showed a rise in verbal abuse with 12 recorded over that period in 2023, 14 in 2024 and 20 this year. Physical assaults have increased from none in 2023, to three in 2024 and five to date this year.
Mr Baker said they were having a profound effect on council teams and their ability to safely conduct their work, work which greatly benefited the community.
“It is happening across the organisation, from customer service to parks and gardens, libraries, roads, waste, community facilities, contractors and even volunteers,” he said.
Mr Baker said the council was committed to protecting staff, rolling out safety precautions such as security guards at some locations, CCTV and body-worn cameras where footage was only gathered and used as evidence in serious cases.
He said the council was also stepping up training and support services, including counselling, debriefing and “de-escalation” training, and encouraging workers to report any issues immediately.
“We are working to assist workers to better diffuse and cope with confrontational situations, which cause considerable anxiety and also force service disruptions that impact the community,” he said.
“Council staff are here to serve our community, but more are being subjected to threatening behaviour from some members of the public while going about their jobs.
“These are not isolated incidents. They are serious and they are unacceptable.
“I hope, with our community’s help and support, we can work together to improve the situation. Kindness and respect are paramount.”
