NewsBite

How engine immobilisers will stop cars from being stolen in Cairns, Townsville, Mt Isa

The $10m engine immobilisers headed for Cairns, Mt Isa and Townsville are expected to greatly reduce the number of cars stolen across Far North Queensland.

Stolen car update for 2022 from Cairns Post reporter Kristina Puljak with Queensland Police Acting Superintendent Kevin Goan. Video by Alison Paterson

The $10m engine immobilisers headed for Cairns, Mt Isa and Townsville are expected to greatly reduce the number of cars stolen across Far North Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement last week among a raft of changes to the youth crime laws across the state.

The immobilisers with the pincode lock and the “kill switch” are expected to be the most affordable, and will be available through a subsidy grant from mid-2023.

It comes after tens of million of dollars and 1299 cars were stolen in Cairns throughout 2022.

Autobarn Cairns General Manager Ty Jenkins said it was an “awesome idea” that would ensure safety for vehicles.

“These days, you can get ones that track your car even if they do go through all odds and steal it,” he said.

Chris Coombs from Autobarn Cairns holding their stock of engine immobilisers. Picture: Nuno Avendano
Chris Coombs from Autobarn Cairns holding their stock of engine immobilisers. Picture: Nuno Avendano

“They’re becoming more and more popular, people don’t want to take the gamble.”

Cairns Customs and Car Sound owner Warren Ziebell said he stocked a couple of different immobilisers ranging in price from $125 to $600 depending on the type of car.

An example of an immobiliser. Picture: Nuno Avendano
An example of an immobiliser. Picture: Nuno Avendano

“What they really do is protect because even if you have a set of keys in your hand with an immobiliser, you can’t start the car,” he said.

“In Western Australia, you can’t sell a car without an immobiliser in it. A world like this is something worth considering.”

Ashley Glenister, founder of engine immobilising app Trackn.
Ashley Glenister, founder of engine immobilising app Trackn.

A spokesman for Police Minister Mark Ryan said there were a variety of immobilisers available, but essentially there were two broad categories.

“There are immobilisers that prevent someone from starting the car in the first place and there are immobilisers that allow the car to be disabled in the event it is stolen,” the man said.

“Vehicle owners will be able to apply for a grant/subsidy to help cover the cost of an immobiliser.”

Originally published as How engine immobilisers will stop cars from being stolen in Cairns, Townsville, Mt Isa

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/how-engine-immobilisers-will-stop-cars-from-being-stolen-in-cairns-townsville-mt-isa/news-story/b757c0173e05eb3e4f1ce50be3496b92