HERVEY Bay’s rough sleepers now have access to vital support through Drug ARM’s new local Street Outreach Service, which officially launched on Thursday, 20 March 2025.
The service, made possible by a grant from Social Shift through the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, was celebrated in a gathering.
Among the attendees were Hervey Bay MP David Lee and representatives from various local service organisations.
With the new service, people sleeping rough in key hotspots across Hervey Bay can now receive weekly check-ins, a warm cuppa, and a friendly chat with trained outreach workers and volunteers.
Since March, the not-for-profit organisation has deployed volunteer outreach patrols every Tuesday to offer support to those experiencing homelessness or struggling with alcohol and other drug use.
“We are responding to an identified high need for support on Hervey Bay streets as many people continue to do it tough and sleep rough across the city,” said local community outreach worker Marty Erlandson.
“We have been working closely with local community services, including the Salvation Army and the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, to ensure we get our street teams to where there is need and can engage with people who would benefit from a check-in, some crisis information, a service referral or simply a friendly face and a chat over some refreshments.”
The service launch comes as Drug ARM reports a 24 per cent increase in street support services over the past financial year. In 2023-24, trained volunteer patrol teams delivered 9,043 instances of care across Queensland—up from 7,298 the previous year. This support has been provided in locations including Airlie Beach, Brisbane, Ipswich, Mackay, Maryborough, and Toowoomba.
Now, Hervey Bay has been added to the outreach program, with local volunteers patrolling key areas such as the Park on the Esplanade.
“We have been responding to a growing need for support, assisting anywhere from 10 to 40 patrons at any one site,” said Street Outreach Services Coordinator Jason Durnan.
“Over the past two years, our patrols have reported a steady increase in the number of people queuing for assistance. Already we are connecting with many patrons in Hervey Bay and also expect those queues to grow over time.”
Jason also acknowledged the dedication of the 65 volunteers who contributed 280 patrols in 2023-24 but emphasised that Drug ARM is always seeking additional support.
“Our outreach teams are always calling for more people willing and interested in joining our patrols at least once a fortnight,” he said.
Those interested in volunteering can contact Drug ARM via email at info@drugarm.com.au or call 1300 656 800.
The Street Outreach Service relies on community funding. Donations to support the initiative can be made at www.drugarm.com.au.
