Justin Lane management share concerns for ongoing violence amid changing face of Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast

A Burleigh hospitality operator is crying out to police and council for more patrols and lighting – saying concerns of violence have reached a “worrying crescendo”. Read part two of this special report and see the video.

A longtime Burleigh hospitality operator is crying out to police and the council for more patrols and lighting as locals lament their “once laidback village” becoming paradise lost.

Justin Lane general manager John Hall said concerns about violence in the area – following recent assaults – have “reached a worrying crescendo”.

Residents and some business owners are fed up with the changes in Burleigh – with drug bags, syringes, vomit and rubbish on the streets and bloody brawls on a regular basis. Justin Lane General Manager John Hall is among them. Picture: Glenn Hampson

There have been two vicious assaults outside Justin Lane and neighbouring venue The Pink Monkey in recent weeks - one on September 25, left a 23-year-old Gold Coast man with a broken jaw and knocked out teeth. The other on October 2 left a teen who was punched and hit his head on the pavement with skull fractures, brain bleeding and potential brain damage.

Asked for his view of Burleigh these days, Mr Hall - who notes Justin Lane has been an institution for a decade - said: “Having watched this area grow and indeed grown with it, we share these concerns about the shifting face of our nightlife.

Residents are concerned violent assaults are becoming a regular occurrence. CCTV footage from a September 25 attack outside Justin Lane, where a 19-year-old man has been charged with Grievous Bodily Harm after allegedly breaking a man’s jaw and knocking out several of his teeth. Picture: Queensland Police Service.

“We strive at every opportunity to protect Burleigh Heads from this sort of anti-social behaviour,” Mr Hall said.

Paradise lost: Burleigh locals lament changing face of ‘once laid-back’ village amid violence, drug use

“While I know many venues in our area operate to the highest standards, sadly others do not. I must emphasise not a single one of these recent incidents have involved our patronage.”

Mr Hall said he had approached council and Queensland Police Service several times to boost police in Burleigh plus add to the CCTV network and lighting around Justin Lane (the side alleyway and carpark),” he said.

Popular Burleigh nightlife spots Justin Lane and The Pink Monkey. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Hall added “sadly” he was told any security issues were on private property when he made his most recent approach to council for more lighting: “They suggested we take care of it ourselves.

“Our constant requests for increased police presence are met with budget shortages. While I applaud our local station for doing the best they can in the circumstances it is sadly

still insufficient as evidenced by recent events.

“We have installed perimeter CCTV and lighting at our own expense, including repairs after several vandalizations. I am dedicated, as is our entire business, to the safety of our staff and patronage at a paramount and we will continue to do anything within our power to curb this antisocial behaviour,” Mr Hall said.

Laneways around Pink Monkey and Justin lane.. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Superintendent Rhys Wildman said recent incidents were “spontaneous and happened without warning”.

For the October 2 fight, he said “the police response was swift and officers were on the scene very quickly with the alleged offender apprehended within the hour”.

“With the September 25, incident the alleged offender has also been arrested and

charged with one count of Grievous Bodily Harm after surrendering himself into custody at

Broadbeach Police Station following a public appeal.”

Burleigh Pavilion. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Supt Wildman said QPS “is committed to keeping the people of the Gold Coast safe and will

always ensure a strong police presence across the city including the Burleigh area with regular

intelligence driven proactive patrols.”

A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson said the City worked closely with stakeholders including QPS to “support a safe environment in public spaces across the Gold Coast”.

The City’s Safety Camera Network included 16 permanent CCTV cameras in Burleigh Heads, with four in Justin’s Lane.

“The installation of a standard street light system along Justin’s Lane has previously been investigated and could not be safely installed as it would decrease the trafficable width of the narrow laneway and create additional hazards.

“Property owners along the laneway have previously been encouraged to install private lighting within or attached to their property to improve security and discourage antisocial behaviour.”

Burleigh Pavilion owner Ben May. Picture: Jerad Williams

Burleigh Pavilion owner Ben May said: “Nobody would dispute the Burleigh Pavilion is extremely vigilant with its security and the safety of its patrons.”

“We are not associated with any recent assaults and that crowd (a violent one) is not one we are associated with or will ever be associated with.”

The Pink Monkey management was contacted for comment.