Yarrabah Community Safety Plan Review 2025 — Endorsed
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council has endorsed the Yarrabah Community Safety Plan Review 2025, developed in partnership with culturev8, following an extensive community engagement process conducted between May and September 2025.
About the review
The review builds on the Mufella Way Alcohol Strategy (2021) and Youfella Way Community Safety Strategy (2022). Working with culturev8, Council engaged 129 residents, Elders, frontline workers and service providers through individual and group yarning sessions and surveys, more than 25 hours of listening, to understand what has changed since the last plan and what the community wants to see next.
Thank you to everyone who took part. We deeply respect your voices and are honoured that you shared your thoughts and stories. Your feedback has shaped every finding and recommendation in this plan.
Seven Action Areas
The plan addresses community safety across seven interconnected areas:
· Crime and Policing
· Alcohol and Other Drugs
· Young People, Families and Vulnerable People
· Employment and the Economy
· Roads and Infrastructure
· Environment
· Service Coordination
The Alcohol Management Plan
The engagement was clear: the current Alcohol Management Plan is not reducing crime or improving safety in Yarrabah, and is drawing police resources away from the issues residents identify as most harmful — noisy houses and domestic and family violence.
The plan recommends measured changes to carriage settings to permit full-strength beverages up to 4.5% ABV within the existing 11.25 litre limit, paired with stronger targeted enforcement against illegal supply and spirits, investment in local Alcohol and Other Drugs and family supports, independent monitoring from day one, and a feasibility study for a community-governed tavern.
Mayor’s statement
“Yarrabah has spoken. Council has listened. Now we ask the State and Commonwealth to support delivery of the recommendations with key service providers. This plan centres our community’s voice and turns it into practical steps that partners can deliver. We invite everyone who cares about Yarrabah to walk with us toward a safer, healthier and more hopeful future for every family and every child.” Mayor Daryl Sexton.
What happens next
Council is working with all relevant community organisations and key stakeholders to progress implementation.
Documents
