November 28, 2025
A recent spike in juvenile crime in Murgon and Cherbourg prompted the South Burnett Regional Council to call a public meeting on Thursday night to allow residents to air their grievances, and suggest solutions to the problem.
About 150 people from both communities attended the meeting at Murgon Town Hall, as well as residents from the nearby towns of Wondai and Goomeri who have also been affected by break-ins and car thefts.
South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff said it was actually disappointing that so many people had come along, as it highlighted the extent of the problem.
Cherbourg Deputy Mayor Gordon Wragge expressed the hope that some solutions could come from the meeting, and emphasised that Cherbourg residents were hurting as much as Murgon residents.
Speakers from the floor shared harrowing stories of waking to find someone in their house, of vehicles being stolen and burnt, and spending large amounts of money to replace locks, repair windows, and fit security screens and security cameras.
The rising cost of insurance premiums was also mentioned.
One woman described how her autistic son had been assaulted during a break-in, and then their house had been broken into a second time.
She said her son was now “absolutely terrified” to go to sleep at night.
Another woman said two cars had been stolen from her house after thieves entered with a weapon and threatened to kill a child.
Speakers blamed the parents of the children as well as the court system for releasing repeat offenders on bail or after “just a slap on the wrist”.
One speaker – without providing any evidence – said a vigilante group had already been formed and was “actively hunting Indigenous youths”.
“Enough is enough or you are going to see bloodshed,” he warned.
Other speakers, while expressing disappointment that offenders were not being made to acknowledge the harm they were causing, emphasised not all families in Cherbourg were to blame and there were many good children.
It was emphasised that Cherbourg residents had also been recent victims, with one man run down and injured by a stolen vehicle just days ago.
His relative expressed the concern that the alleged driver – a young child – was “already back at school”.
Attendees overwhelmingly voted to hold another meeting but this time wanted local member, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington, to be in attendance.
(Mrs Frecklington and senior police were apologies for Thursday’s meeting.)
No date was set for this second meeting.
Ideas put forward to solve the juvenile crime issue included:
- More activities for local children
- Mandatory minimum sentencing for offences
- Police treating break-ins and vehicle thefts as serious crimes
- More community support networks for juveniles when released from detention
One speaker suggested a protest be organised outside the Murgon Magistrates Court to emphasise to the magistrate the frustration of the community.
Mayor Duff said ideas collated from the meeting would be presented to Mrs Frecklington and Police Minister Dan Purdie at a pre-arranged meeting they were having with Council next week.
FOOTNOTE: Victims of non-violent property crime can get support from ConnectCare on 1800-574-066.
Victims of crime?? How is that defined? If someone burns down your house, are you a victim? One would think so, but apparently not as it seems you have to suffer a physical injury. to be conceuved as a victim…