REDLAND City Council has formally adopted a new Community Safety Action Plan aimed at tackling growing fears around antisocial behaviour, public safety and crime perceptions across the city.
The Redlands Coast Community Safety Action Plan 2026–2028 was passed at Wednesday’s General Meeting following debate around council’s role in community safety and the need to clearly define responsibilities between local and state government agencies.
The strategy outlines how council plans to address both actual crime issues and community perceptions through partnerships, education, public space improvements, advocacy and prevention initiatives.
Speaking in support of the plan, Cr Peter Mitchell said community safety concerns raised by residents were real and needed to be acknowledged.
“While our city remains comparatively safe, many residents do feel less safe than maybe just a few years ago,” Cr Mitchell said.
“Those perceptions matter.
“This plan recognises that we must address both actual safety and how safe people feel in their daily lives.”
The plan follows extensive consultation involving more than 430 survey responses, workshops across the mainland and islands, focus groups and direct consultation with police, service agencies, First Nations groups and community organisations.
The most raised concerns included antisocial behaviour in public places, burglary and theft, hooning and dangerous driving, drug use and dealing, and vehicle and e-bike theft.
Despite those concerns, council officers stressed Redlands remained comparatively safe against other South East Queensland council areas.
Redland City Council General Manager Community and Customer Services Brooke Denholder said the plan was designed to reflect the city’s local safety profile while ensuring council remained within its core responsibilities.
“This plan responds directly to the local safety profile that we have for Redlands, which is really safe compared to many other areas,” Ms Denholder said.
“So, the level of response that council will invest in community safety is in line with that.
“We have a small support role, but it is an important role.”
Ms Denholder said the strategy focused heavily on council-managed public spaces, partnerships and prevention initiatives.
“That means making sure our public spaces are safe, that we manage our parks effectively, and that residents feel safe using them,” she said.
“Whether that’s lighting, making sure vegetation allows for clear sightlines, or managing graffiti, those are all really important parts of council’s role.”
Councillors repeatedly emphasised during debate that policing and law enforcement remained primarily State Government responsibilities.
Cr Shane Rendalls said councillors were often approached by residents about a wide range of issues extending beyond council’s remit.
“The range of things that people come to me about includes road rage, speeding, drugs, violence on the jetties, mental health and health issues,” Cr Rendalls said.
“Clearly, we’ve drawn a line around that in terms of these not being council responsibilities.”
Cr Paul Bishop also warned it was important council carefully manage public expectations around the strategy.
“Community safety is primarily a state function, which has been reiterated here,” Cr Bishop said.
“I think expectation management regarding perceptions around the state having the primary function here is really important.”
The adopted plan includes proposals for expanded domestic and family violence awareness programs, stronger youth justice conferencing partnerships, increased advocacy for mental health and drug support services and closer collaboration with Queensland Police Service.
Council is also pushing for a state-funded Critical Response Team to coordinate homelessness support services across the city.
Public space safety forms another major component of the strategy, including increased use of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles such as improved lighting, safer sightlines, maintenance and activation of parks and public spaces.
The strategy also flags future reviews of CCTV priorities and long-term integration of safety infrastructure into Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games planning.
Ms Denholder said council’s partnerships with police and other agencies would remain central to implementation of the plan.
“Our partners have been key in developing the plan, but also in being aware of those actions that fall outside council’s responsibility, so they can inform their actions going forward as well,” she said.
In closing debate, Cr Mitchell praised council’s community safety officers and frontline partner agencies.
“I’d like to thank our small but mighty team of community safety officers,” he said.
“I think they do incredible work and punch above their weight with incredible professionalism and empathy.”
Cr Mitchell said while policing and crime prevention remained State Government responsibilities, safety itself required a broader community effort.
“I think policing and crime prevention are state responsibilities, but I think safety is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.
