MBDA president Cr Heath Sander addressing the recent crime public forum at Murgon Town Hall

December 8, 2025

The Murgon Business and Development Association has issued an urgent appeal to the State Government to take action on the current wave of crime in the Murgon, Cherbourg and Wondai areas.

The peak body for businesses in the Murgon area wrote to Premier David Crisafulli and Attorney-General Deb Frecklington on Friday in the wake of the recent public meeting held in Murgon Town Hall.

The letter says the crime crisis “has reached a point of unprecedented severity, and our residents are now living in fear on a daily and nightly basis”.

“Break-ins, thefts, violent offences, and on several occasions now, serious knife attacks occurring in broad daylight have left our community at breaking point. People no longer feel safe in their own homes, their workplaces, or their streets. Businesses are suffering, families are distressed, and confidence in the justice system is rapidly deteriorating,” the MBDA letter states.

“Your election message – “adult time for adult crime” – gave our communities hope that firm and decisive action would finally be taken. However, we are not seeing this reflected in outcomes here
in Murgon.

“Offenders who are already on bail for previous offences continue to be released again and again, sometimes only days after committing new crimes. This cycle is not only unsustainable, it is dangerous.”

The MBDA says Murgon residents have “had enough”.

“Do you have the power or authority to intervene in, review, or mandate stronger bail decisions when magistrates continue to release repeat offenders? Our community needs clarity, reassurance and immediate action,” the letter continues.

“We elected you because we believed in your commitment to strengthening community safety and restoring accountability.

“We still believe you can make the necessary changes but we urgently need your leadership now.”

The MBDA called on the Premier and Mrs Frecklington to come to Murgon, speak to the MBDA, explain what action the government can take and “provide a clear path forward”.

“Premier and Attorney-General, we need your help now, not after another tragedy occurs. Our community cannot endure any more of the fear, trauma and instability we are living through
each and every day. Please intervene before lives are irreparably changed or lost. We look forward to your urgent response,” the letter concludes.

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Comments on local Facebook pages (see below) highlight the current anger and fear in the Murgon community:

Screenshots from various South Burnett Facebook pages in recent days

 

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