What’s happening?
Toowoomba police have taken part in a statewide Queensland Police Service counter-terrorism training program, with Grand Central Shopping Centre used as a local Exercise Banshee site.
The training placed officers in a realistic public setting, where they had to respond to active armed offender scenarios inside a busy retail environment.
QPS said the exercises were designed to test how police and partner agencies respond during rare but serious public safety threats.
The Service said there is no current threat to Queensland, but regular training remains important for police, security staff and emergency responders.
Across Queensland, officers worked through high-pressure scenarios involving armed offenders, threat management and public safety response.
Why it matters?
The need for regular training has been reinforced by recent major incidents, including the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach in 2025 and the stabbing attack at Bondi Junction in 2024.
While events of this kind remain rare, QPS said police must be ready to respond quickly when lives are at risk.
For Toowoomba, holding part of Exercise Banshee at Grand Central gave officers practical experience in a major local retail setting.
Shopping centres can be difficult places to manage during emergencies because they involve crowds, staff, multiple exits and fast-moving conditions.
The training also helped police and shopping centre teams consider how they would work together if a serious incident occurred.
Local Impact
Grand Central Shopping Centre was the Toowoomba location named in Exercise Banshee.
The exercise placed local officers in a setting many residents know well, making the training relevant to everyday public spaces in the city.
Police were tasked with responding to armed offender scenarios, containing the threat and protecting people in the area.
The local exercise also supported stronger links between police, centre staff and other stakeholders involved in emergency response.
For residents, QPS said the main public safety advice remains Escape. Hide. Tell.
Escape means moving quickly and quietly away from danger, but only when it is safe.
Hide means staying out of sight, silencing your phone and putting a sturdy barrier between you and danger.
Tell means calling Triple Zero, 000, when it is safe to do so.
QPS said people should only call when it is safe, and should never put themselves or others at further risk.
By the numbers
QPS said this year’s counter-terrorism training included multiple exercises across public venues and retail areas.
- Two major active armed offender exercises were held this year, known as Sundown and Banshee.
- Seven Exercise Banshee locations were listed across Queensland, including Toowoomba’s Grand Central Shopping Centre.
- The current National Terrorism Threat Level remains at PROBABLE.
Zoom In
Specialist Operations Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon said the training was designed to prepare officers for high-risk events.
“Counter-terrorism training is practical, realistic and scenario based, preparing our officers for high-risk events – because when the unthinkable happens, Queenslanders rely on us to respond quickly and decisively,” Deputy Commissioner Scanlon said.
“These training sessions are integrated into our routine operations because the Service recognises the importance of proactively testing our systems and processes at every opportunity. We train together, challenge assumptions, and refine our tactics so that our response is always coordinated, disciplined and effective.
“These exercises are made possible through strong partnerships with major shopping centre, retail and entertainment precincts, stadiums, and other stakeholders across Queensland, allowing agencies to test, and refine their collective response to capabilities.”
Shopping Centre Council of Australia Chief Executive Angus Nardi said the exercises gave retail and entertainment precincts a chance to work directly with police.
“These exercises provide an important opportunity for shopping centre, retail and entertainment precincts to work alongside the QPS, ensuring our teams can work seamlessly if they ever have to respond during an emergency of this nature,” Mr Nardi said.
“We value QPS’s strong engagement and collaboration with our industry.”
Stadiums Queensland Chief Executive Officer Todd Harris said Suncorp Stadium staff also gained important lessons through Exercise Sundown.
“This was an important learning opportunity for the Suncorp Stadium team to understand how they can continue to adapt and refine their emergency response plans to help ensure the safety of patrons attending events at the venue,” Mr Harris said.
“We hope we never have to use this training, but we are reassured that we have strong partnerships with emergency services like QPS providing a high level of preparedness across our portfolio of venues.”
Zoom Out
Exercise Banshee was held at several retail and entertainment precincts across Queensland.
The listed locations were:
- Toowoomba, Grand Central Shopping Centre
- Mackay, Caneland Central Shopping Centre
- Brisbane, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre
- Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast entertainment and retail precinct
- Cairns, Cairns Central Shopping Centre
- Rockhampton, Stockland Rockhampton
- Logan, Grand Plaza Shopping Centre
Exercise Sundown was held in Brisbane and included a frontline response exercise at Suncorp Stadium.
That exercise involved general duties police responding to active armed offenders at a major sports venue.
It also included a desktop exercise focused on how resources would be allocated during an evolving incident.
Police said officers were called to assist with crowd control at a sports game, threat management and hostage situations.
What To Look For Next?
With Grand Central included in Exercise Banshee, Toowoomba police have tested their response in a busy public setting.
The training gives officers and centre teams a clearer sense of how they can work together during a serious emergency.
QPS said counter-terrorism training will remain part of routine operations across Queensland.
For the community, the key safety message stays simple, Escape. Hide. Tell.
