NINE years on from winning the battle to get the Water Police located on the water at Mooloolaba Spit, Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson is again calling for action to help keep Coast residents safe on our waterways.
Asking a Question in Parliament last month, Ms Simpson called for the Police Minister to provide additional police officers to be permanently added to the Sunshine Coast Water Police base to boost police resources for the region.
“Our waterways are getting busier, especially during the holiday seasons, yet our Water Police have had only four officers based at this station since 2004,” Ms Simpson said.
“I fought to get the Water Police moved to the Mooloolaba Spit from their landlocked site in Kawana and was delighted to get them relocated here in 2010.
“Recently the Water Police took delivery of a new $3.2 million vessel to help keep our boaties safe, but I want to see more police officers based here to meet the growing needs of the area.”
“The Gold Coast has 14 permanent police officers for their water police and we have only 4, which means that our water police officers are practically on call 24/7, which simply isn’t fair, and it’s a public safety issue.
“With growing numbers of recreational boat licences on the Sunshine Coast we need more permanent police officers located at the Water Police to keep boaties safe on our waters.”
Ms Simpson asked the Police Minister a Question (no 1564) in Parliament in October which is due to be responded to by 14 November 2019.
“I will continue to fight for more police resources to support our growing Sunshine Coast region and help keep us safe,” Ms Simpson said.
QON 1564 to Minister for Police:
Question asked 15 October
Response due 14 November
Ms Simpson asked the Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services:
With reference to the Sunshine Coast Water Police station which only has four officers—
Will the Minister (a) acknowledge the need for more police officers to be permanently added to the station
and (b) provide help to ensure the station receives additional resources to keep people safe on our
waters?
