Extra police called for as part of safe precinct push at Noosa

A spate of brutal brawls on Noosa’s nightclub hub has sparked a push for a safe night precinct to be established in the glitter strip’s clubbing district.

A push is on for a designated safe partying precinct to be established in Noosa after a string of violent brawls.

Noosa Council is leading a movement to establish a safe night precinct in Noosa Heads.

The safe night precinct initiative was created by the state government to curb late-night drug and alcohol-related violence.

The push for a safe night precinct comes following a number of fights in public at Noosa, including a street fight allegedly involving 15 men at Hastings St, Noosa Heads during which a 29-year-old Sunshine Coast man stomped on while unconscious on December 30, 2021.

As part of the bid to set up a safe night precinct, Mayor Clare Stewart has written to the Police Minister Mark Ryan seeking his support to bolster police numbers during peak holiday periods.

“We have had preliminary discussions with Hastings Street Association, other business leaders as well as senior police, who fully support progressing the idea,” Ms Stewart said.

Noosa Police Sergeant Troy Cavell, Noosa Liquor Accord Chariman Anton Mogg, and Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart are supporting a push to establish a Safe Night Precinct at Noosa.

“This type of precinct would assist our local police who already have a number of strategies in place to target anti-social behaviour.”

In creating a safer night environment, Aqua Lounge and Nightclub co-owner Ken Woods would like to see extra police on the ground and a solution for transport issues.

Co-owner Ken Woods says now is the time to have a final drink at the Rolling Rock before it closes for a $350,000 refurbishment to open as Aqua Lounge and Nightclub. Picture: Letea Cavander

“I would love to see extra police on the ground, those poor guys absolutely work their butts off dealing with drunk people, and they are so understaffed,” Mr Woods said.

“Transport is also a major issue when you’re trying to get home late at night, that’s when you have people milling around.

“It’s quite safe, but anywhere there is alcohol involved you are going to have problems, drunk people are drunk people.”

Mr Woods was in favour of the initiative, questioning why Noosa wasn’t already part of such a precinct.

“I couldn’t believe that Noosa wasn’t part of a safe night precinct when I first moved up from Sydney,” he added.

“It benefits everybody, especially the whole community and with us being the latest business to set up in the area, it was something that I was going to push for.

“I’m 100 per cent behind it, it’s great for everybody.”

Chair of the Noosa Liquor Accord Anton Mogg said there was unanimous support from licensed venues for the proposal.

“At our recent meeting, all members strongly supported the concept of a Safe Night Precinct which can only benefit the shire,” he said.

There are 15 Safe Night Precincts in Queensland, including one on the Sunshine Coast, taking in Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, and Caloundra.