How Cairns, Townsville and Mt Isa people can get $500 car immobiliser voucher

Thousands of car owners in regional Queensland have reaped the benefits of a vehicle immobiliser voucher, new figures reveal. Here’s how to get yours.

Accredited installer Ross Crowbie from Townsville Car Audio Excellence shows off the code-safe engine immobiliser. Picture: Shae Beplate

A $10m scheme offering vehicle immobiliser vouchers exclusively to car owners in Cairns, Townsville and Mt Isa has been taken up by thousands of people, new figures reveal.

More than 3000 Cairns vehicles and almost the same figure in Townsville have been fitted with the anti car theft device since the launch of a subsidy scheme in August.

The state government trial allows residents of those crime-afflicted regional towns to apply for a voucher up to the value of $500, to subsidise the cost of the device and installation.

Nearly 200 Mt Isa residents have also had an immobiliser fitted in their cars.

The $10m scheme will see up to 20,000 engine immobilisers fitted across Cairns, Townsville and Mt Isa. Picture: Emily Barker

In total, the Queensland government has committed $10m towards the scheme which is still taking applications until the end of June this year, unless extended.

While the numbers look promising, they also reveal there are about 10,000 un-used vouchers allocated across Cairns and Townsville.

Approved installers have said a poor uptake could be because the cost of the device and installation can stretch beyond the value of the voucher, in some cases exceeding $800.

Nick Bradt is the creator and owner of the Starter Stopper, an anti theft device for vehicles that is completely hidden once installed and can cut power to an engine, even when an ignition key is used. Picture: Brendan Radke

However some authorised fitters are charging competitive prices including Cairns-based Nick Bradt, who invented a device that costs $89 and has been approved by the state government scheme.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said he had not heard of a single vehicle being stolen that was fitted with a secondary engine immobiliser.

“Owning a vehicle is a significant financial investment and engine immobilisers add an extra level of protection for vehicle owners,” he said.

“The aim is to reduce crimes associated with car theft and increase security and safety among Queensland communities, including enhancing community confidence.

“The government welcomes the fact that many individuals have taken advantage of the subsidy scheme to have devices fitted to their vehicles and strongly encourages those who have a voucher to take the final steps to have a device fitted to their vehicle.”

Cairns MP Michael Healy said it was just one of many government strategies to reduce crime in the Far North.

“I lobbied hard for this scheme and I’m delighted to see more than 3000 vehicle owners in Cairns take up the initiative,” he said.

You can apply for an engine immobiliser voucher on the Queensland Police website.

Originally published as How Cairns, Townsville and Mt Isa people can get $500 car immobiliser voucher