Gold Coast water police are outnumbered by tinnie hoons
THE Gold Coast’s picturesque waterways are turning into a “hoons’ paradise” with latest figures showing water police are becoming grossly outnumbered.
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THE Gold Coast has just 14 water police officers to keep an eye on the city’s waterways that are now home to more than 32,000 recreational craft and 700 commercial boats.
Water police numbers have increased by just two on what they had for the region more than a decade ago.
But the city’s boat registrations continue to increase by more than 1000 a year.
A Gold Coast Waterways Authority report reveals boating traffic on the city’s waterways is “growing steadily”, with more than 12 per cent of Queensland’s recreational water craft located on the Coast.
Transport and Main Roads statistics show more than 32,000 recreational and 700 commercial boats are registered on the Coast.
A Question on Notice in Parliament from Bonney LNP MP Sam O’Connor to State Police Minister Mark Ryan confirms policing resources are not matching growth in boat registrations.
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In his reply, Mr Ryan said the Gold Coast water police had 12 officers in the year 2000 and that number increased to 14 in 2006.
He said he had been advised that the police strength for the Gold Coast region water police, at April this year, remained at 14.
“The allocation of police resources is determined by the Police Commissioner following a detailed assessment of area growth, safety issues and any new or emerging issues,” Mr Ryan said.
“The Police Commissioner makes this decision, free of any political interference, which is as it should be. This also ensures a fair and equitable service is provided throughout the state.”
Mr O’Connor told the Bulletin: “We haven’t had an increase in water police strength in over a decade, since 2006. Even back then their numbers only went from 12 to 14.
“They do a great job but they simply don’t have enough resources to undertake the patrols they want to do.”
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Mr O’Connor said it was the Government’s responsibility to ensure the waterways were as safe as possible.
“People who are living along our Broadwater, creeks, rivers and canals are being let down,” he said.
The Bulletin understands that as recently as last weekend, water police officers conducted patrols on hooning hot spots like Saltwater Creek at Helensvale.
Mr Ryan said he was advised police conducted regular patrols of Gold Coast waterways to target poor behaviour and actively enforce laws around boating safety.
He said they were backed up by officers from the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol, the Gold Coast Waterways Authority and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
“They work closely together to ensure Gold Coast waterways are safe and able to be enjoyed by everyone, while at the same time ensuring minimal disruption to local residents.”