The LNP last week announced it would deliver a Safe Night Precinct for Noosa if elected in October, as part of the Making Our Community Safer Plan.
The Noosa Safe Night Precinct will bolster safety for the thriving nightlife areas of Hastings Street and Noosa Junction and will be managed by a local board representing Noosa Council, Hastings Street Association, the Noosa Liquor Accord and Noosa Chamber of Commerce, they said.
Under the LNP’s plan, additional police patrols, security measures and transport options will boost safety for Hastings Street and Noosa junction, similar to an existing Safe Night Precinct that takes in Maroochydore, Caloundra and Mooloolaba.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said a Noosa Safe Night Precinct recognised the growing popularity of Noosa as an entertainment destination and provided a critical boost to security to restore safety.
“Noosa is one of our State’s busiest and thriving holiday and entertainment destinations and the LNP’s plan to deliver a Safe Night Precinct will restore safety for Noosa,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“The Noosa Safe Night Precinct will boost safety to Noosa’s busy nightlife areas and keep residents, visitors and businesses safe while enjoying a night out.
“With well over two million visitors each year from around Australia and across the world, we must protect Noosa’s reputation as a world-class destination.“
LNP Noosa candidate Clare Stewart advocated for a Noosa Safe Night Precinct in November 2023 during her time as Mayor.
“The Noosa community and the Hastings Street Association have been clear they want a Safe Night Precinct for Noosa, the LNP has listened and will deliver this important safety boost for our community,” Ms Stewart said.
“While I was Mayor I spearheaded a call for this locally-guided plan, but Labor has refused to listen and refused to boost security for Noosa.
“We know the Safe Night Precincts have been successful in other areas and this would provide local police with additional support, particularly during busy holiday periods.
“Noosa is a safe and family-friendly community and the LNP are determined to ensure that continues to be the case.”
Hastings Street Association president Ben Orton welcomed the announcement and said it would enhance visitor experience in Noosa.
“Initiatives that can assist police in keeping Noosa safe are encouraged and our members fully support this endeavour in establishing a Safe Night Precinct,“ Mr Orton said.
Safe night precincts (SNPs) were created as a Queensland Government initiative to reduce late-night drug and alcohol-related violence. In 2016 a multifaceted policy was implemented aimed at achieving cultural change around drinking behaviour, promoting responsible drinking practices, ensuring a safe environment around entertainment precincts and providing a regulatory framework that balances the interests of the liquor industry with a reduction in alcohol-fuelled violence.
Among the measures implemented under the policy have been regulations around licensed venue opening times and the use of networked ID scanners.
SNPs are managed by local boards operating as incorporated associations and funding is available from the state government to establish and maintain SNPs.
An evaluation of the 2016 policy reforms by Professor Peter Miller, Associate professor Jason Ferris and research fellow Kerri Coomber in 2019 for the University of Queensland Centre for Health Services Research found after its implementation Queensland recorded reductions in assaults, ambulance attendances and hospital admissions.
The researchers said the reductions represented a substantial cost saving to the Queensland community.
However, they also found pre-drinking (drinking alcohol before going out socially) levels remained high and unchanged and education/awareness campaigns were ineffective at reducing intoxication and violence.
Under the state government policy the minister must review each SNP every three years to determine whether they continue to achieve their purpose of creating a safer night-time environment in Queensland entertainment areas with the SNP reviews to be conducted by an external provider.
There are 15 Safe Night Precincts in Queensland, including one on the Sunshine Coast, taking in Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Caloundra.
