Torquay MP Stuart Grimley wants laws to fine hoons who attend, organise events

A radical plan hatched by a Geelong region MP is set to stop hoons in their tracks regardless of whether they’re behind the wheel.

People attending or organising hoon events would be fined almost $1500 under law reforms being pushed by police officer-turned-state MP Stuart Grimley.

The Derryn Hinch Justice Party MP, based in Torquay, will on Wednesday introduce a Bill to state parliament, that if passed would see hoon events become illegal in Victoria.

Mr Grimley said a statewide approach to hooning was needed because some councils had introduced ­bylaws to outlaw the dangerous practice.

“Police can take action against hoon drivers behind the wheel, but they can’t do anything to stop people from encouraging or organising these dangerous events,” Mr Grimley said.

Geelong Indoor Sports Inflatable World owner Andrew Walker and MP Stuart Grimley on Gravel Pits Rd. Picture: Alison Wynd

“It is disappointing that local councils have had to make their own local laws to deter hoon events.

“We’ve seen many tragic deaths, injuries and disturbances as a result of idiotic hoon events.

“A $1500 fine will hopefully make people think twice about attending a hoon event,” he said.

Under Mr Grimley’s proposed law, fines would be ­issued to organisers, participants and attendees of hoon events, and those who stop or park close to a hoon event, if they don’t have a lawful excuse.

Mr Grimley said a hoon event would be defined as “more than one person” participating in or gathering for the purpose of participating in hoon driving, including “loss of traction, racing, time trials or driving that causes undue noise or smoke”.

Andrew Walker, who runs a business in the South Geelong industrial precinct that caters to families with young children, said hoons blatantly did burnouts at the front of his Gravel Pits Rd venue ­during business hours.

“They just pull up and think they can do burnouts anytime of the day. I have videos of cars doing burnouts when people are trying to get into my business,” Mr Walker said.

“They just keep jumping around places when police get onto it.”

Hooning on Eastern Beach Rd on July 3. Picture: Supplied

Mr Walker said earlier this year he spotted 11 cars doing burnouts in the vicinity of his business about 9.30pm one night.

He has backed Mr Grimley’s proposed laws to improve safety for road users.

“One bad mistake and there’s three of four families that don’t have a child in their family anymore.”

Limeburners Point at East Geelong had been a drawcard for hoons, prompting Geelong Council to install CCTV and other hoon ­deterrents.

Mr Grimley said the proposed law was developed in consultation with police and councils.

Currently, fines can be issued by police to those who attend hoon events in the Frankston and Brimbank council areas.

Mr Grimley said police had issued more than 200 fines at a hoon event in Brimbank, which resulted in more than $80,000 being paid to council within two months.

Originally published as Torquay MP Stuart Grimley wants laws to fine hoons who attend, organise events