Crims and booze hounds bring big problems to little Kuranda
Youth crime is turning a once safe and vibrant tourism village into a Queensland version of Alice Springs, these residents say.
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Youth crime is turning a once safe and vibrant tourism village into a Far North Queensland version of Alice Springs, Kuranda residents say.
Kuranda businesses are dealing with smash and grab style break-ins weekly, intimidation of staff, graffiti and shop stealing in broad daylight.
International visitor numbers have also failed to fully recover since Covid with concerns the once charming town could become a distance memory.
Kuranda resident of 20 years Mark Riley said the quaint village feel was under threat and “nearly gone already”.
“People have had enough of the poor behaviour, houses getting rocked, the fighting in the park, the broken glass, the public drinking and anti-social behaviour, the uncontrollable children roaming the stress after dark, it’s a disgrace,” he said.
“We are well on the way to becoming Far North Queensland’s Alice Springs.”
Mr Riley said retail vacancies, poor business confidence and non-governmental organisations moving into prime retail tenancies was contributing to a changing street scape and visitor experience.
“Why did they not utilise another tenancy instead of taking the prime shopfronts in Kuranda?” he said.
“Slowly the shops are being taken over by indigenous service organisations.”
Mr Riley says part of the solution is keeping children in school and increased foot patrols to move on public drinkers before the crowd gets so large police are powerless to shut down large parties.
On top of the slow season during the warmer months, business owners have been confronted with wayward youths causing chaos around town, smashing into shops and terrorising staff.
Police are now in the process of investigating multiple property offences at the mountain top tourist village on the night of February 10.
Coondoo Street business Coral Coast Leather was targeted on Monday by six or seven youths who stole a bag and car keys belonging to a staff member along with leather items.
The partner of that retail worker who was robbed on Monday, by a group of teens, believed there needs to be a return to an around the clock police presence.
Speaking on condition of anonymity the long-term Kuranda resident said the community was “distraught” about the crime problem.
“Some want to take matters into their own hands,” he said.
“Many in the community want a 24-hour police presence, which has not happened in over 20 years here, even though there is a police station with accommodation on site in the village.”
Phở Corner on Therwine St was also hit by thieves who on Monday night managed to bust through a roller door to gain access to the shop.
An empty cash draw was stolen and dumped into a nearby garden along with soft drink cans that were later discarded.
The proprietor, who asked not to be named, said the break-in was more an annoyance but the business lost a day’s trade and he was concerned about the broader impact on the town as a whole.
“Recently it feels like it’s escalating,” he said.
“There has been a lot of graffiti and that is not helping the look of the town and tourists can see things have gone on overnight if doors are kicked in.”
Kuranda police stated at 6.30pm on Monday night unknown offenders also attempted to enter the Kuranda Heritage Markets before they were disturbed by the caretaker and the youths fled on foot.
Youths allegedly busted into the post office on Thooree Street before the group fled again, dropping stolen property as they went.
It’s understood parcels of Australia Post customers were stolen.
In response to the crime spike some residents have suggested a private security patrol funded by business owners and residents.
Via social media Barron River MP Bree James said she was “working with several ministers to action” a community meeting to discuss the crime issue with residents and small business owners.
“I will have more details on this shortly,” she said.
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Originally published as Crims and booze hounds bring big problems to little Kuranda
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