CBD SECURITY REVIEW

Shields St precinct all dressed up but no-one wants to go there

CAIRNS Regional Council’s planning and environment committee has authorised an evaluation of security foot patrols and CCTV following a spike in complaints about anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Max O’Halloran called for Shields St to receive special attention. “I’d defy anybody to walk through there in the late hours of the night,” he said.

Ratepayers forked out $7.8 million on the council’s Shields St Heart project to revitalise the strip between Lake and Grafton streets.

“We’ve poured a heap of money into that particular area, and I doubt anybody ever walks through there because of the problem,” Cr O’Halloran said.

AN off-pitch choir of drunks who scream and swear the night away may soon get their marching orders under a review of CBD security.

Cairns Regional Council’s planning and environment committee has authorised an evaluation of security foot patrols and CCTV following a spike in complaints about antisocial behaviour.

Division 7 Cr Max O’Halloran called for one particular problem area to receive special attention, outside the former MacDonnells Law building on Shields St.

“I would defy anybody to walk through there in the late hours of the night,” he said.

“They’re still there early on the Saturday morning, like the CBD choir, you can hear them at 6.30am on the front steps.

“They’ve been there for months.”

Ratepayers forked out $7.8 million on the council’s Shields St Heart project to revitalise the key strip of the city centre between Lake and Grafton streets.

The street was converted to a pedestrian-only “urban park” with contemporary lighting, turfed mounds and public art.

“We’ve poured a heap of money into that particular area, and I doubt anybody ever walks through there because of the problem,” Cr O’Halloran said. “It’s terrible.”

Division 5 Cr Richie Bates called for the review to look into security staffing levels and the efficiency of CCTV cameras around the city.

The council set aside $2.5 million in its 2017-18 Budget to beef up security camera operations, as well as $2 million to boost general security services in the city.

“There’s been some queries about whether the council is fulfilling all its responsibilities and obligations in maintaining a safe CBD,” he said.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Nick Loukas said late night security always topped the business community’s list of concerns.

“We’re always in their ear about security, about consistency on the Esplanade and around the eateries,” he said.

“There are some black spots, and it’s about keeping on top of where those problem areas are and making sure there are enough cameras to keep an eye on them.”

Mr Loukas said many of the concerns related to lighting levels. He said itinerants numbers often mushroomed on a seasonal rotation, when rough sleepers came to the city to escape monsoonal weather.

“We’re still working on a long action plan but we’re getting there,” he said.

He said reports of Cairns business owners employing “sonic security” measures, using devices that emit irritating high-pitch noises to keep people off their doorsteps, was a concern.

Cairns City Beat has been asked to comment.