Tough restrictions reduce crime in Mooloolaba
Mon 19 May 2008
Sarah Ritchie, Bachelor of Journalism
Tough new safety restrictions implemented by former Mooloolaba Councillor Tom Hulett have reduced criminal activity and antisocial behaviour in Mooloolaba.
The changes included improved police operations, introduction of hidden cameras, road detours, increased funding for community organisations and new facilities.
Late night drinking and hooning were the two major concerns in Mooloolaba, where Mr Hulett was the councillor from 2004-2008. Mr Hulett said he worked closely with police to improve safety in the popular tourist and night club area.
Mr Hulett worked with police to introduce road detours on Friday and Saturday nights. The changes in the road prevented hoons from circling the area and causing traffic problems. The popular run was increased by 5km, which reduced the hooning in the area because drivers could not afford to repeat the run as it wasted too much fuel.
Business owner of Olivers on the Mooloolaba Esplanade said hooning had affected her restaurant trade.
"At one stage the hooning and surrounding parking got so bad that a table of 20 people got up and just walked out," she said.
"We are so grateful for the changes that have been made. We don’t know what would have happened to our business if the problems had not been fixed."
Fights, drink driving, underage drinking, vandalism and other criminal activities were common problems that were often fuelled by alcohol.
The police asked the council to increase lighting in the area and introduce two permanent hidden cameras in Mooloolaba.
Mr Hulett said the cameras were the first of many that would be implemented in the area to monitor late night activities.
Police numbers have been increased on busy nights and during peak holiday periods.
Night clubbers can seek help from volunteers after the Community Solutions Street Angels received funding from council to set up a tent on Friday and Saturday nights offering assistance to those at risk due to drug and alcohol related activities.
After the changes were implemented there was a heavy reduction in the number of teens loitering in the area at night, Mr Hulett said.
"In 2003 the council reported there were 300 teens loitering on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday night," he said.
"After the safety initiatives were implemented we have noticed a significant improvement. There is now a maximum of 20 teens loitering in the area on these nights.
"Since the improvements have been made the Street Angels tent is no longer required permanently in Mooloolaba, so the council financed a car for the volunteers to travel to problem areas and offer assistance as needed.
"I got the Street Angels to conduct a safety audit and it revealed members of the community genuinely feared for their safety in parts of Mooloolaba that were heavily vegetated.
"The Street Angels found the public was concerned that bushes in Mooloolaba were often used by teenagers as a place to perform illegal or inappropriate activity.
"The surrounding scrubs were becoming very expensive to maintain because aside from the safety concerns the drunks walking past them would often trample or rip them out."
Mr Hulett decided to remove the majority of vegetation along the shopfronts and concrete the area to save money and help business owners achieve their desired look.
He kept the larger trees and small shrubs but removed any of the problem vegetation authorities thought posed a safety concern due to poor visibility.
The safety initiatives were implemented after local residents, business owners and organisations made vigorous complaints about the late night activities and lack of facilities in the area.
“I tried to work with the business owners, nightclub owners, community organisations, the police, the kids and liquor licensing to solve the problems,” Mr Hulett said.
“I think these stakeholder groups may not agree with each other but they know that they need to work together to fix the problems at hand.”
There have being many new procedures implemented as a result of cooperation between these stakeholders.
Nightclubs have been working closely with police to assist with drug raids and help them in breaking up fights. The clubs have decided to cooperate with each other and ensure that if a patron is banned from one club they are banned from all.
Mr Hulett said he regretted he was not voted back in to council at the recent election, because he is unable to ensure his plans for Mooloolaba will be carried out.
"Mooloolaba has come a long way but it has a long way to go; there will continue to be problems due to the combination of nightclubs and residential property in the area." he said.
"The only way the problems will be completely resolved is if the current nightclubs are relocated to a new city night club precinct in Maroochydore where there are no residential areas."
Image(s) designed by Sarah Ritchie