Hooning issue causing people to avoid moving into Robina

IT’S the Coast suburb with everything — shopping centre, playgrounds and nature. But a recent problem has become such a big concern that people are avoiding moving into the area.

A GOLD Coast councillor is spending $130,000 on the city’s first-ever anti-hooning cameras because the problem is stopping concerned families from moving into his area.

Unruly revheads have become such a problem that councillor Hermann Vorster said he was fielding dozens of calls a week from would-be home buyers and also locals concerned their property will be damaged or destroyed.

This Robina Lions sign on the corner of Peach and Cheltenham Dr in Robina has been knocked over three times recently, but it's not considered a hotspot. Photo Supplied

“People who are thinking about renting or purchasing a home contact me, inquiring if it’s a hoon hotspot, because they want to avoid living or purchasing near where its happening,” Cr Vorster said.

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“The problem is escalating, tempers are simmering and residents expect something to be done, so it will be good to put an end to this in Division 11.”

The network of cameras is a new initiative for the city. Previously, only a single camera had been used in suburbs.

Gold Coast City councillor Hermann Vorster at the area’s outdoor gym

The seven “state-of-the-art” cameras are six metres tall and will be installed permanently at major “hoon hot spots”, including:

● Intersection of Cheltenham Dr and Robina Parkway.

● Intersection of Layers Dr and Collyer Quays.

● Cottesloe Dr near Bond University.

● Ron Penhaligon Way.

● University Dr, near the roundabout at Geraldton Dr.

● Varsity Pde near University Dr roundabout.

● Varsity Pde near Christine Ave roundabout.

“These cameras feature incredible high-definition vision and sophisticated night-vision systems in the hope they provide enough evidence police need to identify and prosecute grubs,” he said.

A group of Gold Coast hoons calling themselves the "Mexican Hoon Cartel" have been terrorising suburban streets around the city.

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“Hooning has emerged as the new type of graffiti. They’re marking their territory on the road, and as soon as one lays tracks another attempts to cover them. We end up with an escalating problem in our very quiet residential streets.”

Robina resident Brad Watts, who has lived in the area for 15 years, said roads were “crazier”.

“Since Christmas there have been probably five bad accidents at the roundabout on Thorngate and Cheltenham drives,” he said.

Hermann Vorster is concerned about the issue. Photo by Richard Gosling

“Most were stolen cars. In the last week there have been two crashes. The dogs caught one of the drivers of one of the accidents.

“It’s the noise, and it’s worse on rainy nights.”

Cr Vorster said there was no “pattern to the idiocy”.

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“People are taking advantage of wide roads. They take off at a set of lights, put the hammer down as they are going down a hill, use roundabouts like a slalom track.

“We also have evidence of it at four-way intersections and most concerningly in front of schools.

“I have residents fear cars will crash through the front of their residences.

“The retirement homes on Robina Parkway and Cheltenham Drive are in anguish over how their homes are being diminished.

Cr Vorster has also teamed up with the local neighbourhood watch group, providing money to purchase sophisticated hidden cameras on private properties.

Area co-ordinator of Robina Woods and Robina Waters Neighbourhood watch Allan Howard said any deterrent that will help make the area safer was welcomed.

“Hidden or visible, it doesn’t mean anything other than if you are committing a crime, then you will be caught,” he said.

“If you are like the majority, you will have nothing to worry about and you’ll be happy to have them.”