Townsville Stronger Communities

Townsville Stronger Communities

Townsville is one of Australia’s most liveable cities. We want everyone to feel safe while they enjoy everything Townsville has to offer—that’s why we’re taking extra steps to respond to youth crime.

In September 2016, we established the Townsville Stronger Communities initiative to get young people back on track to lead more productive lives.

Crime is a problem we can’t solve alone, but through a whole of government, whole of community and whole of family approach, we can work together to break the cycle.

    • Townsville's voice

      Townsville Community Champion report

      A report by the independent Townsville Community Champion on youth crime issues, Major General (Rtd) Stuart Smith.

      Read the report (PDF, 6.1 MB)

      The Queensland Government has issued a response to the Townsville Community Champion’s report and accepts all its recommendations in principle.

      Read the response

    • Early Action Groups

      Multi-agency case management coordination for children aged 8–16 years who are at moderate/high risk of future offending and their families.

      Early Action Groups provide early intervention responses that address the factors contributing to young people’s offending behaviour, including family functioning, educational disengagement, substance use, negative peers and pro-criminal attitudes.

      Find out more

    • Report school truancy

      Helping children to stay in school is an important way to reduce youth crime.

      Find out more

    • Protecting your home

      Help protect your home against break and enters by practicing good home security.

      Find out more about home and multi-residential security.

      We are also helping eligible homeowners aged 60 and over to secure their home by providing financial assistance for the installation of security measures.

      Find out more about home maintenance assistance for seniors.

    • Explainer: the Youth Justice system

      What happens to young people when they offend? Find out how the youth justice process works.

      Find out more

    • Media statements

      Queensland Government media statements on actions being taken to tackle crime in North Queensland.

      Find out more

    • Actions to tackle youth crime

      By addressing the drivers of youth crime and better supporting young people on the transition to adulthood, we can help young people avoid becoming entrenched in the criminal justice system.

      We know this is best achieved through early intervention initiatives and evidence-based programs, along with access to education, training, employment, housing and sport, to wrap around at-risk young people and their families.

      Find out more about services in the youth justice system (PDF) (PDF).

      Find out more about Youth Justice Reforms.

    • Youth crime data

      The department has statistics available about young people in the youth justice system in Queensland.

      Find out more about youth justice data and statistics.

    • Breaking the cycle of crime in Townsville

      The Queensland Government has implemented a range of initiatives to target youth offending in Townsville.

      Learn more about breaking the cycle of crime.

 

 

Townsville crime heat map

Get in touch with the Townsville Stronger Communities Early Action Group

The action group comprises senior representatives of key agencies to provide an integrated, whole-of-government response to youth crime issues.

This form is not for emergency assistance. If a crime is happening now call Triple Zero (000). If non-urgent, call Policelink on 131 444.

Townsville contacts

  • Act for Kids

    Specialist teams supporting children, young people and families across the whole spectrum of child protection.

  • ATODS

    Information, clinical assessment, counselling, treatment and referral for individuals, groups and families with alcohol and other drug-related problems.

  • Clontarf Foundation

    The Clontarf Foundation operates in four Townsville high schools and seeks to improve the education, discipline, life skills and job prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

  • Coast to Country Housing Company

    Housing assistance for people in need.

  • Community Gro

    A community-based organisation that provides activities, programs and services, including the Upper Ross and Garbutt community centres.

  • Free information, advice and referral, representation and casework, community education and advocacy for vulnerable clients and communities facing legal problems.

  • Community Policing Board Townsville

    Community Policing Boards give local organisations and people a say on crime issues.

  • DV Connect

    The only statewide telephone service offering anyone affected by domestic or family violence a free ‘crisis hotline’ 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

  • Family and Child Connect

    A free service that connects families to local providers that can help with managing children's behaviour; building better family relationships; stopping violence at home; budgeting and managing money; addressing alcohol, drug or gambling problems; and accessing housing, health care or other services.

  • Headspace

    The national youth mental health foundation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of young Australians.

  • Lives Lived Well

    Support for people affected by alcohol or drugs or problems with mental health.

  • myPolice Townsville

    Regular updates from local police.

  • Ozcare

    Homeless and housing services, as well as drug and alcohol services, women’s refuges and Indigenous services.

  • For non-urgent incidents, call 131 444 or lodge a report online.

  • Queensland Youth Services

    Services for 12 to 25 year olds, including help for youth who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, and assistance in addressing barriers to employment.

  • Red Cross Homelessness Service Hub

    Support for vulnerable people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in Townsville.

  • Salvation Army Recovery Services

    The Salvation Army operates a 33-bed residential rehabilitation facility in Townsville for men and women seeking recovery from addiction to alcohol, other drugs and gambling.

  • Sharehouse Youth Accommodation

    A crisis shelter for 16–25 year olds.

  • TAIHS

    The Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services offers health services, child and family services, and youth services.

  • The Lighthouse

    An after-hours drop-in centre that gives 10–16 year olds a safe space between 4pm and 8am daily. 1800 196 884.

  • Townsville Neighbourhood and Community Centres search

    Neighbourhood and community centres provide friendly, localised access to child, family and community services.

  • Townsville Neighbourhood Watch

    Neighbourhood Watch encourages individuals, families, businesses and communities to work together to reduce crime and improve community safety.

  • Townsville Street University

    Operated by the Noffs Foundation, the program provides counselling and diversion programs and support to young people involved with substance use, crime and mental health issues.

  • Townsville Youth Council

    The council represents young people and organises youth projects and events.

  • The Youth Network NQ Inc

    A service that runs youth engagement activities and hosts monthly meetings for youth workers to connect, exchange information and collaborate on service delivery.

  • Uncle Alfred’s Men’s Group

    Alfred Smallwood is an Indigenous Elder in Townsville who helps children and adults stay out of trouble in the justice system. A men's group meets every Tuesday evening.

  • Yumba-Meta Housing Association

    Short, medium and long-term accommodation and support services for disadvantaged people in Townsville, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.