Burleigh becoming a victim of its own success

RESIDENTS of Burleigh will be dismayed if not entirely surprised to read today that in becoming a hot spot for great nights out, the area has also become a hot spot for the unfortunate problems that go with it.

Assaults were up across the Gold Coast last year as tourists returned to the city in big numbers. But the rate of increase was greatest in areas like Burleigh and Coolangatta. Police believe the reason is an upsurge in nightlife in those areas.

While disappointing, the news is no cause for panic.

Police are clearly well aware of the problem, and directing resources accordingly.

However it is possible that we will need to do more. It is notable that police report assault offences are not rising as fast in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

Anyone who spent time in those areas after dark over the Christmas break will know they have never felt safer.

The reason is simple. Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are designated ‘Safe Night Precincts’, where ID scanners are mandatory and trouble-makers can be banned from the area.

In addition, courtesy of the wanding trial which began in May 2021, police in these areas have broad powers to stop people and search them for weapons.

In the first 18 months of the trial, almost 500 people were charged with offences.

Nightlife will continue to grow in Burleigh in particular when the light rail arrives.

As well as extending the tram line, the figures revealed in the Bulletin today show it may be necessary to also extend the successful Safe Nights Precinct program, and the associated wanding trial, a little further south.