Strategies to address anti-social behaviour in a Sunshine Coast town have been welcomed by its leading business group.
A new Police Beat and likely CCTV monitoring are expected to help keep troublemakers in check at Nambour, where locals have expressed safety and wellbeing concerns.
Nambour Chamber of Commerce president Mark Bray said the Police Beat should make a difference.
“Quite a number of businesses around the CBD have been bothered and affected by anti-social behaviour at times, particularly in the town square, for a number of years,” he said.
“The Police Beat will benefit the businesses and shoppers.
“Having a police presence there might mean some of the people who engage in anti-social behaviour won’t be doing that so much.
“It’s not so much crime, it’s more about people feeling safe from others who might be making them feel uncomfortable on the streets.”
It’s not yet known where or when the outpost will be established.
Mr Bray also said police monitoring of security cameras would also be welcomed.
“If you walk done Lowe Street you can see some CCTV poles, but I don’t believe they are monitored by the police,” he said.
“I think that’s what (local MP) Marty Hunt is looking to do, is to have them monitored by the police in Nambour.
“I think it’s a matter of connecting into what’s there to get that functioning a bit better.”
The new police outpost was recently announced by Mr Hunt.
“I’m very keen to see the Police Beat project up and running,” he said.
“We expect more details to be announced following the release of the budget early in the year.
“In the interim, I am consulting with local police, businesses and the broader Nambour community to ensure it aligns with local needs and priorities.”
Mr Hunt paid tribute to Keira Fiorenza, who closed her jewellery store on Lowe Street after several incidents at her shop.
“Suffering from PTSD after an armed robbery at the store in 2019, Keira spearheaded a community push and petition for a permanent Police Beat shopfront in Nambour to increase community safety and deter offenders,” he said.
“She bravely stood up to try and protect her business and others from going through what she went through.
“I’m proud to report … we (the state government) will deliver a permanent Police Beat shopfront in the heart of Nambour’s CBD.
“While her business may be gone, her legacy lives on in this victory for safety and security.”
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The Police Beat is expected to be complemented by the live-feed CCTV cameras, which would be connected directly to Nambour Police Station.
“This is just the beginning,” Mr Hunt said.
“We have more work ahead and I look forward to collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce, local police, and our entire community to make Nambour an even safer and more vibrant place to live, work and play.”
Mr Hunt said Nambour was experiencing a resurgence.
“The local businesses, from Bitesize Bliss Cafe to Walter’s Artisan Bread, and the opening of the new cinema, are proof that Nambour is not just surviving, it’s thriving,” he said.
