Policing left high and dry

THE Gold Coast has just 14 water police officers to keep an eye on the city’s waterways that are now home to more than 32,000 recreational craft and 700 commercial boats.

In the past decade, water police numbers have increased by just two while the city’s boat registrations are increasing by more than 1000 a year.

A Gold Coast Waterways Authority report reveals boating traffic on the city’s waterways is “growing steadily”.

More than 12 per cent of Queensland’s recreational water craft are located on the Gold Coast.

Transport and Main Roads statistics show more than 32,000 recreational and 700 commercial boats are registered on the Coast.

A Question on Notice in Parliament from Bonney MP Sam O’Connor to State Police Minister Mark Ryan confirmed policing resources are not matching growth in boat registrations.

In his reply, Mr Ryan said the Gold Coast water police had 12 officers in 2000; that had increased to 14 in 2006 and as of April this year it remained at 14.

Mr O’Connor told the Gold Coast Bulletin: “We haven’t had an increase in water police strength in over a decade.

“They do a great job but they simply don’t have enough resources to undertake the patrols they want to do.”

Mr O’Connor said it was the government’s responsibility to ensure the waterways were as safe as possible.

The Bulletin understands that as recently as last weekend water police officers conducted patrols at hooning hot spots including Saltwater Creek at Helensvale.