The Queensland Government has today announced the first new Designated Business and Community Precinct will be in place in Maryborough CBD, from 1 July, to tackle antisocial behaviour.

The new precinct will target high levels of antisocial behaviour by arming police with stronger powers and the tools they need to help protect local businesses, workers and families.

The Queensland Government has held community forums in Maryborough – following the advocacy of Member for Maryborough John Barounis – to hear from residents and local businesses about the impacts of antisocial behaviour.

The new Designated Business and Community Precincts – which have been introduced because of this community feedback - will:

• Arm police with stronger tools to immediately remove and ban offenders engaging in disorderly, offensive, threatening or violent behaviour in key commercial areas;
• Allow police to issue 24-hour move-on directions to offenders and banning notices of up to one month for repeat or serious offenders.

The reforms will also strengthen Jack’s Law wanding powers and allow police to search and detect knives and weapons without a warrant in Designated Business and Community Precincts to prevent violence before it occurs.

The new Designated Business and Community Precincts will operate under a framework similar to existing Safe Night Precincts, expanding proven approaches beyond nightlife areas into key business and community locations.

The reforms are just one of the ways the Queensland Government is making Queensland safer, which includes expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and introducing stronger drug laws.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Designated Business and Community Precincts was one way the Government was making Queensland safer.

“These new precincts will give police the powers they need to move on troublemakers, ban repeat offenders and restore safety in the heart of towns across regional Queensland,” Premier Crisafulli said.

“We promised stronger laws - and we are delivering.

“I want to thank and acknowledge Member for Maryborough John Barounis for his tireless efforts in standing up for his community and ensuring their voices were heard.”

Member for Maryborough John Barounis said these changes were crucial to stamp out antisocial behaviour in his community.

“I have been listening to and working for my proud community to deliver a change that will restore safety to where we live.

“We are giving police the powers they need to get on with the job and keep Queenslanders safe, while also connecting people in need with outreach services.

“These powers ensure officers can act on the spot to prevent situations escalating and protect the safety of the wider community.”