Spit and polish for laws

Concern over development, crime and nightlife

DEVELOPMENT on The Spit, police numbers, crime, lockout laws and traffic congestion.

Voters in the Surfers Paradise electorate want all that addressed before next week’s state election.

Long-serving MP JohnPaul Langbroek, a raging favourite to again hold power, said what to do with The Spit was a contentious issue, specifically in relation to the proposed cruise ship terminal (CST) and masterplan for the area.

“I am absolutely for it (the CST), I have always been for it,” Mr Langbroek said.

“It is just a matter of finding a place for it, so I will be interested to see whether (Gold Coast Mayor) Tom Tate’s study into a CST stacks up – because he would need a State contribution in terms of money and land access which the Labor Party has ruled out.

“It needs to stack up economically, environmentally and have community support.”

But the main issue in the Surfers Paradise electorate was “law and order”, said Mr Langbroek.

“It’s been a significant issue since 2013 when we had the bikie brawl in Broadbeach.”

He said Labor’s relaxed anti-bikie laws had “rolled out the red carpet” for criminals to

gain a foothold on the Gold Coast again.

When it comes to lockout laws Mr Langbroek said he was in two minds but knew it was “a significant issue” with the Games coming up. “You can’t just penalise the majority for the sins of a few,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Of course we’ve said we’ll look at (lockout laws). They are an important issue for a subset of my electorate.

“But the interesting thing is a lot of my voters would say we think lockouts are a good thing.”

Melbas On The Park spokesman Peter Chapman said: “We are comfortable with the new rules, but believe there should be more latitude, especially here on the Gold Coast when it comes to special applications for 5am closes.

“We also believe that once one venue has been given the green light for a 5am close it should then automatically apply to all other venues.

“We remain strongly opposed to a 1am lockout and 3am close.”

Shooters Nightclub and Our House Bar & Tapas general manager Nathan Sudana said it was vital to get the lockout laws relaxed for traders and patrons ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

“It would be great for nightclubs to trade through ‘til 5am and have the laws relaxed,” he said.