Council suspends bushcare activities amid concerns for safety of volunteers, staff, contractors

Volunteer bushcare efforts at Namba Creek and nearby Quota Park have been suspended indefinitely after a rise in aggressive behaviour directed at council staff and volunteers.

In a message to the local Petrie Creek Bushcare team (Tuesday, July 15), a coordinator shared the “sad news” with fellow volunteers that working bees had been called off until further notice due to safety concerns. 

The decision was made by Sunshine Coast Council following “a recent increase in verbal aggression and threatening behaviour directed at staff, contractors, and volunteers by individuals experiencing homelessness in these areas.”

Council has advised that all operations and activities at the sites have been paused as a precaution. The suspension applies to all staff, contractors and volunteers.

“This is an all-of-Council decision,” wrote a Sunshine Coast Council officer in a notice to volunteers. “The pause will allow Council leaders and the Wellbeing, Health and Safety team to develop appropriate safety measures to support everyone working in these environments.”

The officer said the safety and wellbeing of staff and volunteers remained the highest priority. “While we value the important environmental work you do, your safety and wellbeing must come first.”

Work relocated to safer site

Not to be deterred, the bushcarers acknowledged the disruption and offered an alternative site for volunteers keen to continue their environmental work. They will now concentrate efforts on an alternative site at Florabunda Pocket down among the Nambour Rugby Fields and beside Petrie Creek. A special event was  coordinated last weekend and for Wednesday July 23. 

 Council has not given a timeframe for when activities at Namba Creek or Quota Park may resume but said it would keep volunteers informed.

The situation highlights growing tensions in public green spaces across the region, as homelessness and social pressures continue to rise. Sunshine Coast Council has not made any public statement on the issue at the time of writing.

Safety concerns have halted volunteer bushcare work at Namba Creek and Quota Park.