Locals concerned over drunken behaviour at Inverloch Jetty

Inverloch residents disgusted by drunk, brawling, swearing youths at the jetty say the area needs to be made an alcohol free zone.

Victoria Police were called out to Inverloch Pier six times in November. Picture: Supplied

Inverloch Jetty has been a hotspot for drunken, brawling, swearing louts and locals say they want the area made an alcohol-free zone to put a stop to the anti-social behaviour.

Kevin Griffin said he was alarmed at the behaviour he has witnessed over the past few weeks.

“Police have been called repeatedly to Inverloch Jetty due to a group of badly behaving drunken people who seem to have taken up residence there on warmer days,” he said.

“I’ve witnessed some of this behaviour myself … foul language, drunken brawls, dangerous driving, littering, and the list goes on.”

Another local said she is “disgusted” with what she has seen.

“I’ve taken my 12 year old son down for a swim a couple of times and there’s been broken glass on the jetty, people drinking and swearing, starting fights and saying inappropriate things to children.”

Sergeant Adrian Condron told The Bass Coast News, Victoria Police were called to Inverloch Jetty six times over four days in November.

He said each incident occurred on a warmer day and involved a “particular crowd” of locals and people from areas across Latrobe Valley.

“The behaviour that has been recorded is groups of youths drinking and consuming alcohol out on the pier,” he said.

“Some of that has involved people jumping off the pier and swimming in surrounding water.”

Sgt Condron said on some occasions police had issued penalty notices and fines for offensive behaviour, underage drinking, offensive language and disorderly conduct.

Mr Griffin is calling on authorities to make the area an alcohol-free zone.

“Residents, visitors, and their families should not have to suffer this God-awful behaviour from drunken louts,” he said.

“If the community wants to have this behaviour stopped then we must make a noise to the people in power.”

Inverloch Jetty falls under the jurisdiction of Gippsland Ports, who don’t have a regulation prohibiting drinking on the pier.

Gippsland Ports chief executive Chris Waites said he was aware of the incidents at the jetty and was working with the local police on the matter.

He told The Bass Coast News he had no plan to make the area alcohol-free as it was a matter for Victoria Police.

“We don’t use our offices or our staff to enforce public order matters, we leave that with Victoria Police,” Mr Waites said.

He said the incidents were concerning and he has plans to reinforce the ‘no diving’ and ‘no swimming in proximity to the pier’ signs.

Sgt Condron said because there was no regulation, drinking behaviours fall back to Victoria Police’s common powers of drunkenness in a public place, offensive behaviour and offensive language.

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