Parents claim Sunshine Coast teens’ partying ruined Mooloolaba NYE fireworks
Sunshine Coast parents say they were disgusted by the behaviour of ‘gross and feral’ teens who were reportedly partying, swearing loudly, vaping and fighting at the Mooloolaba family friendly, alcohol-free fireworks event on NYE.
Sunshine Coast
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The behaviour of “gross and feral” teens who were reportedly partying, swearing loudly, vaping and fighting at the Mooloolaba family friendly, alcohol-free fireworks event on NYE has digusted Sunshine Coast parents.
There were reports from distressed parents of teenagers illegally drinking and vaping, which they said ruined the Sunshine Coast Council event at Mooloolaba Beach on Sunday, December 31.
Police have confirmed they moved on a number of teens from the event.
“We issued move on directions to a number of people, including some teens, in the Mooloolaba safe night precinct on December 31,” a Queensland Police spokesman said.
“Move on directions are issued when a person is being disorderly, offensive, threatening, disrupting an event etc.”
A 14-year-old Caloundra girl was charged in relation to public nuisance and she is due before Maroochydore Children's Court on January 10, in relation to the night’s events.
Young teen partygoers trying to get into the event were seen with police throwing out alcohol.
Declan Matheson, who was enjoying the NYE fireworks with friends, said he saw teens being moved on by police drinking near the ramp entrance to Mooloolaba Beach.
“I saw a group of around 10 young teens all gathered around police being made to empty cans and bottles that looked like alcohol,” he said.
One concerned Sunshine Coast mother said she witnessed teenagers swearing, vaping, drinking and fighting.
“Loads of groups of teens swearing loudly, vaping and secretly boozing...two started a fight in the stage area. It was like schoolies after 8.30pm when all the parents with younger kids left,” she said.
“Under 18s should have parents with them.
“My son told two boys to stop fighting at the dance area and they stopped and turned on him, one saying, ‘I’m going to f**king hit you’, then a police officer and a security guard intervened.”
She said she couldn’t believe how confident the teens were.
“The kids, because they were in packs had the confidence to show off, swear, vape and talk about where they had hidden, or which friend had some booze, in front of anyone in the vicinity. The C word was extremely popular,” she said.
“You could tell that some had been drinking before they arrived.
“Under 18s obviously need supervision at the event. It’s not schoolies, the event is for everyone.
“Parents being present and regular, visible, security patrolling is what is needed.”
Another parent agreed, saying it was disgusting behaviour.
“I treated my 11-year-old to her first midnight fireworks and was shocked by how gross and feral some of the teens were,” she said.
“There were big groups of very intoxicated teens around 14 to 16 years old swearing and yelling at each other, I heard one yell something like ‘I am gonna f**ing bash the c**t’.
“My 11-year-old at one point was saying she didn’t feel safe and wanted to go home ... watching the fireworks was lovely but as midnight got closer we were more and more surrounded by heavily intoxicated teens as they all came onto the beach.
“It felt like I was in a nightclub ... people smoking on the beach, dropping their cans and bottles right in front of us.
“As we drove away from the Dock car park, now safe in our car, we saw another brawl break out at the corner of Parkyn Parade and River Esplanade. The police got there super quick. They had to pin down two boys on the floor while a mob was hovering around angrily yelling and swearing at the police.
“One of the boys pinned down was yelling out to a girl nearby, ‘Don’t you f**king call my Mum’.
“ My 11-year-old does not want to go to the midnight fireworks ever again.”
She said underage children should need to be accompanied by an adult to enter the area.
“The issue is it has become too popular and a known spot for teens to gather each New Year’s to get wrecked,” she said.
“Much more security and more police (needed).
“Also (need) council people on the beach picking up the litter as the night goes on. So much crap would have gone into the ocean. I picked up what I could but there was so much more all around us.”
This comes off the back of the beach being left in a terrible state following New Year’s Eve celebrations, with fireworks debris, beer cans, condoms, and needles found along the coastline.
In a statement, a Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said that fireworks debris found along the shoreline at Mooloolaba is likely to be from illegal fireworks not associated with the official NYE celebrations.
Queensland Police have said there were no reports made to them regarding illegal fireworks.
According to the Sunshine Coast Council, it was also supposed to be a drug, alcohol and glass free event.
“New Year’s Eve Mooloolaba will be a fully fenced and secure patrolled event to ensure everyone has a fun, safe and memorable evening,” a council statement read.
“Intoxicated people will not be permitted to enter the event zone.”
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said Council’s focus for the Mooloolaba New Year’s Eve event was on fun and safety.
“In response to feedback from the previous year, we’re removing any temptation to bring in alcohol by having a fenced and security patrolled event zone,” he said.
Sunshine Coast Council has been contacted for further comment.
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