Police to target nuisance behaviour during Schoolies on Sunshine Coast

Police have vowed to be tough on nuisance behaviour during Schoolies celebrations on the Sunshine Coast, pleading with school leavers to think of the ‘rest of their lives’.

Police will target nuisance activities and anti-social Schoolies after a recent drink-spiking scare has Sunshine Coast authorities on alert.

It comes as year 12 students across the state mark their end of schooling this week, with Schoolies celebrations set to kick off on Saturday, November 18.

Smaller crowds are expected in the region than previous years.

An alleged drink spiking incident involving a 16-year-old at a party in Coolum on November 15-16 is being investigated by the Child Protection Investigation Unit.

The incident prompted a warning for school leavers ahead of their celebrations.

“I encourage all school leavers to make responsible choices, watch your mates and stick together when you’re out and about,” Superintendent Craig Hawkins said.

Away from the large crowds of the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast offers an alternative party destination for students, with popular locations across the region including Caloundra, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, and Noosa.

While there are no officially planned events on the Sunshine Coast for Schoolies this year, graduates are expected to be drawn to the entertainment precincts at Caloundra, Maroochydore, and Noosa.

Queensland Police Superintendent Craig Hawkins pleaded with school leavers in the area to look after their friends and make sensible decisions.

Superintendent Craig Hawkins said decisions made by school leavers at Schoolies could affect the rest of their lives.

“We strongly encourage these young people to enjoy themselves, but to do so safely and do it respectfully for other people that are in and around the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Hawkins said.

“Although it is an exciting time for them leaving school and the freedom that comes with that, they are moving into an environment of added responsibility and obligations.

“I’d hate to see them make a decision that might affect the rest of their life.”

Mr Hawkins added that police will be focusing their efforts on ‘public nuisance’ offences and anti-social behaviour.

Police patrol Noosa Main Beach during a huge Schoolies gathering.

“Clearly there are the nuisance offences and the alcohol-related offences, they are predominantly the ones that we will see a little bit more of,” he said.

“It’s more the nuisance behaviours, where these young adults are annoying locals and other visitors to the Sunshine Coast.

“If we do see that behaviour, then we’ll deal with it.”

Mr Hawkins is confident that there will be sufficient police resources to call upon during the end-of-schooling celebrations.

“It is a busy period for us leading into Christmas, we plan for that throughout the year,” he said.

“Generally, our available resources are focused at this time of year and other holiday periods.

“I’m more than comfortable with the policing numbers and the policing resources that we have available to respond to whatever may come our way.”