Recent youth disturbances in Mudjimba have prompted community leaders to call for calm and perspective, with residents saying the incidents are unusual for the tightly connected beachside suburb.
The Mudjimba Residents Association has spoken out following two disturbances involving teenagers in April and May, stressing the incidents were not representative of the local community and should not define the suburb’s reputation.
Vice president Nikole Cassin, who has lived in Mudjimba with her family for several years, said the events had shocked many residents because behaviour of that nature was rarely seen in the area.
“For the first three years of being within Mudjimba, we haven’t actually experienced what’s been happening these last couple of months,” she said.
“We’re very fortunate, we’re very safe, and it is still not a representation as to where Mudjimba’s heading or that we’ve changed or anything like that.”
Ms Cassin said many of the youths involved were believed to have travelled into the suburb from elsewhere on the Sunshine Coast after gatherings spread through social media.
“None of the folk involved have been identified as local community kids at all,” she said.
“Just for whatever reason this last month or two, Mudjimba’s been their chosen spot.”
The incidents, including damage in the esplanade precinct and at local businesses, sparked heated discussion online and differing views within the community about how the behaviour should be handled.
Ms Cassin said she believed some frustration had unfairly extended towards local teenagers who regularly gathered responsibly around the beach and park areas.
“My middle son is one of those. He is 15,” she said.
“It’s actually been really disappointing for them because now they’re not allowed to go do that now because at the moment just by association, I’ve just told him and I know other families have done the same with their kids, just stay away for a while.”
She said her concern was not that her son would become involved in trouble, but that local teenagers could be “tarnished with the same brush” simply for being present near the area.
“Even just by sitting on the outskirts, my concern is by association, they’re all tarnished with the same brush,” she said.
“The local kids are now feeling frustrated that these disrespectful teens impact the community as a whole.”
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Ms Cassin said the association hoped to help residents better understand the practical pressures facing police, rather than allowing social media commentary to escalate tensions.
“There’s so much noise in the town and on socials around it,” she said.
“Very few people are taking the right action, yet they all have something to say around the perceived failings of our police services.”
She said there was often a misconception that police could respond to every online complaint without formal reports being lodged.
“They can’t do anything because you literally haven’t followed the basic requirements for them to take action,” she said.
Queensland Police Service district duty officer Senior Sergeant Brad Doolan, who is also a Mudjimba resident, has been invited to speak at the Mudjimba Residents Association’s regular quarterly meeting on June 16 at 7pm at Mudjimba Hall, 41 Cottonwood Street.
Ms Cassin said the discussion would focus on community education and perspective.
“It feels isolated and it feels a lot for Mudjimba because it’s so unusual,” she said.
“But these events are actually happening twice a night seven days a week all over the coast in varying little communities.”
Despite the recent incidents, she said Mudjimba remained a supportive and protective community for local families.
“The ability to have a lifestyle that was somewhat similar to how we grew up … the community is very protective with each other,” she said.
“It’s not necessarily, hey we’re fearful of what’s happening in Mudjimba.
“It’s okay, how do I find an opportunity in this to bring the community together for the greater good and a greater impact versus be fearful of a couple of instances of unruly kids?”
