Revealed: How often police patrol Farnborough Beach

The Queensland Police Service has responded to questions around the 4WD safety issue after a Livingstone councillor said there needed to be “greater enforcement of the rules” there.

Four-wheel-driving is becoming more and more popular on Farnborough Beach. Generic photo.

Police have revealed how often they patrol Farnborough Beach after a Livingstone councillor said there was a need for “greater enforcement of the (traffic) rules” there.

The Morning Bulletin put a series of questions to the Queensland Police Service as the issue of four-wheel-drive safety along the popular stretch of coastline proves a never-ending migraine for Livingstone Shire Council.

At council’s July ordinary meeting, Cr Nigel Hutton called for more to be done in terms of enforcement.

“It’s very clear from everything that we’ve read, all the reports that we’ve had back over this last, not just 12 months but the last seven years I’ve been on council, that there is a need for greater enforcement of the rules in this area to not only protect it, but also to ensure that where that (driver) education is provided, that it’s adhered to," Cr Hutton said.

“We’ve been told it’s not council’s place to do this and it’s the police.

“We should have actually had a point six (on the motion) where we’re advocating strongly for further action on behalf of the police and further resources to the police.

“Because all of the rest of what we’re doing here can address the growth, it can address the education, but if we're not actually enforcing the rules, we’re actually going to see that the same complaints that we’ve got here at Bangalee Beach will continue at Bangalee Beach in the short-term while we’re getting the long-term solution.”

Cr Nigel Hutton.

When The Morning Bulletin asked how often police did patrols of Farnborough Beach, a QPS spokesperson said patrols were conducted “frequently”.

“While demands for service often dictate the frequency and areas patrolled, the beach is still patrolled on numerous occasions per week and at various times which would be difficult for the public or motorists to predict,” the QPS spokesperson said.  

“The Rockhampton Road Policing Unit (RPU) also conduct patrols of this area.”

Cr Adam Belot (right) and Clair Fitzpatrick walk the incline at the Bangalee access to Farnborough Beach. File photo.

Livingstone council meetings have heard that the numbers of four-wheel-drives using Farnborough Beach has increased significantly in recent years.

This was confirmed by police.

“We do not have current statistics, but anecdotally, vehicle numbers have dramatically increased,” the QPS spokesperson said.

When asked if police had enough resources to adequately patrol Farnborough Beach, the QPS spokesperson said: “Yeppoon Police are sufficiently resourced to conduct patrols, enforcement action and targeted traffic operations throughout the division, including remote and isolated locations.

“Division resources, along with support from the Capricornia District, such as the RPU, assist with local enforcement and patrols.

“About 18 months ago Yeppoon Station received a Toyota Troop carrier which helps in ensuring all stretches of the division are more readily accessible.”

Four-wheel-driving has become more popular at Farnborough Beach in recent years. Generic photo.

Here were the other answers given by QPS to questions asked by The Morning Bulletin:

Do patrols happen more frequently on weekends, public holidays and during holiday periods? 

QPS: Attempts are made to patrol the beach during peak times, it is known that afternoons on weekends is the time we receive the majority of reports about poor driver behaviour.

Is there anything else QPS would like to add on this issue? 

QPS: Police, working in partnership with the council, has seen improved signage, surveillance cameras and targeted operations. 

The QPS also supported a “Safety on the Beach” education day which was held on the beach.  

Motorists need to remember that we all have our part to place and that road safety beings with them.

Local police can be anywhere, anytime and do patrol and enforce road rules in remote areas such as Farnborough Beach.

Originally published as Revealed: How often police patrol Farnborough Beach