Harbour Town Shopping Centre to get new police beat, two officers by June 2020

A new police beat complete with two officers has been announced for one of the Gold Coast’s busiest shopping centre, for just $1.

A NEW POLICE beat complete with two officers has been announced for one of the Gold Coast’s busiest shopping centre, for just $1.

The Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan and has confirmed a police beat will be up and running at Harbour Town Shopping centre by June next year.

The announcement follows a number of requests by the local politicians and community to establish a police beat on site.

In March the shopping centre even offered a space to the State Government for just a $1 in rent, a fee the LNP member for Bonney Sam O’Connor offered to cover.

A space was offered for just $1. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Harbour Town Centre Manager Greg Day told the Bulletin the government had taken them up on the peppercorn rent.

“We are pleased to confirm the presence of a Police Beat at Harbour Town Premium Outlets with the facility due to open in the new year,” Mr Day said.

“The comfort and safety of our customers is of primary importance, and a Police Beat at Harbour Town will provide an even stronger and more accessible community service for the benefit of our retailers and shoppers,” he said.

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The Police Beat will be located at the Woolworths end of the Centre close to the Justice of the Peace, Australia Post and the Commonwealth Bank.

Member for Bonney Sam O’Connor who had long called for the beat claimed the announcement was a ‘huge win’.

Bonney MP Sam O'Connor said it’s a huge win.

“The $1 rent offer was too good of a deal for the government to refuse, they didn’t even use my dollar in the end,” Mr O’Connor told the Bulletin.

“I guess it will have to go towards a frozen coke or something," he joked.

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“The centre sees 9 million visitors each year," he said.

“With that many people going though the area you are going to see crime, so having police finally on site is important – especially with the car park at night.”

“A police beat is something the area really needed.”