Council staff cuts will weaken DFV safety net, advocate warns

Staffing cuts at Sunshine Coast Council could weaken referral pathways and increase risks for people experiencing domestic and family violence, Maleny advocate Val France has warned.

Ms France said the changes were “far more than an internal reshuffle” and could affect council teams that help vulnerable residents connect with specialist services.

She said public debate had focused on the reported ratio of office-based staff to outdoor workers, but the broader consequences of reducing teams involved in community support had received less attention.

“The real danger lies in the dismantling of essential teams that support victim-survivors, vulnerable youth, people in mental health crisis and families experiencing homelessness,” Ms France said.

Ms France said reducing key departments from eight staff to four should not be characterised simply as streamlining.

She said council officers helped co-ordinate referrals, guide victim-survivors towards appropriate services and assist people who might otherwise struggle to navigate the support system.

“When staffing is halved, those pathways slow, stretch, and in some cases may fail entirely,” she said.

“For someone seeking safety, delays are not inconvenient – they are dangerous.”

Ms France said the effects could extend beyond domestic and family violence services to youth engagement programs, mental health referral networks, homelessness co-ordination and residents’ access to council’s front-counter services.

Each area intersected with domestic and family violence risk, particularly when people were experiencing several problems at once, she said.

Ms France also rejected the assumption that residents could readily move to online services, arguing that digital access was not reliable or suitable for everyone across the Coast and hinterland.

“The Sunshine Coast already faces significant gaps in mainstream services,” she said.

“Removing the Council staff who help bridge those gaps will intensify every existing pressure point – DFV escalation, youth crisis, mental health strain, homelessness, and community isolation.”

A Sunshine Coast Council representative said responsibility for domestic and family violence responses, support services and statutory intervention rested with State Government agencies and specialist providers.

However, council acknowledged the impact of domestic and family violence and said it remained committed to community safety and wellbeing through its policies, partnerships and decisions.

The representative said the staffing changes were introduced to support council’s long-term financial sustainability while maintaining its contribution to community wellbeing.

Council would continue working with government agencies, specialist providers and community organisations on prevention, early intervention and support for people affected by violence, the representative said.

Ms France said frontline employees were paying the price for long-term management failures.

“Removing the people who hold together our community safety net is not responsible leadership,” she said.

“It is a decision that will have real, lasting, and potentially life-threatening consequences for families across our region.”

Sunshine Coast Council said it recognised the significant impact of domestic and family violence but staffing changes were necessary to support Council’s long-term financial sustainability. Council said it remained committed to supporting community safety and wellbeing through its policies, partnerships and decision-making. 

“While Council contributes to community wellbeing and local partnerships, responsibility for domestic and family violence response, support services and statutory intervention rests with State Government agencies and specialist service providers,” a spokesperson said. “Addressing these complex issues requires a coordinated, region-wide effort involving community organisations, government agencies and other partners.  

“Together, these organisations contribute to prevention, early intervention and support for those impacted by violence.  

“Recent staffing changes were implemented to support Council’s long-term financial sustainability, while maintaining its ability to contribute to community wellbeing outcomes.  

“Council will continue to work collaboratively with regional partners, investing in initiatives that strengthen community resilience, improve social outcomes and support a safe, inclusive and connected Sunshine Coast community.”

Maleny advocate Val France has warned the changes were “far more than an internal reshuffle” and could affect council teams that help vulnerable residents connect with specialist services.