Call for increased security to protect Cairns boardwalk dining precinct
The Harbour Lights Retail Body Corp is pushing for increased security throughout Cairns’ premier waterfront precinct.
The precinct includes award-winning restaurants Ochre Restaurant, Dundees on the Waterfront and Ollie’s Italian.
The group has identified a security “black spot” that is being exploited, with staff and patrons being attacked and property damaged.
While the landholder Ports North manages some security patrols, restaurants were forced to fund their own security last year at a cost of almost $60,000.
Restaurant owners took action after Ochre staff members were stabbed with a pottery shard and strangled. The incident left two employees hospitalised.
Ochre owner Craig Squire stopped the patrols six months ago due to the cost burden but has seen a spike in anti-social behaviour since.
“We’re talking about the premium dining and tourism precinct in Cairns and it’s a black spot as far as patrolling and CCTV go,” Squire said.
“We’ve had issues with patrons being hit on the outdoor dining tables, we’ve had staff attacked, we’ve had furniture thrown in the water, furniture broken.”
Blu Marlin Bistro owner Paul Harris has also called for more foot security after the restaurant was broken into on multiple occasions in the past few months.
“We’re not part of the council’s Safe Night Precinct but we’re only just next door,” Harris said.
“I strongly believe if we were part of it some of these issues would dissipate.
“Ports North are doing everything they can and their hands are tied. There just need to be more of a collective effort between them, council, state and federal governments.”
Ports North chief executive Richard Stevenson noted all they were doing which included staff on site 24/7, CCTV and “additional physical security patrols” during peak periods.
“Ports North also has a well-established relationship with the QPS who are called upon to provide assistance and respond to incidents when required,” Stevenson said.
“We are engaging with council on some potential enhancements to surveillance and physical security presence however this has proven to be more complex than expected.
“Notwithstanding, Ports North continues discussions with council along with ongoing investment into options that enhance security needs throughout the port areas including the Marlin Marina.”
A Cairns Regional Council spokesman said the council and Potts North were working together “to determine how the two organisations can work more closely together moving forward”.
However, discussions have been ongoing for several months and businesses on the boardwalk are getting frustrated.
Ollie’s Italian owner and Harbour Lights Retail Body Corporate chair Joan Wilson was frustrated by the inability of council and Potts North to come to agreement.
“Who would have thought that local government and state government couldn’t be on the same page about a situation that greatly affects local business, our city and tourism which we all heavily rely on for income and jobs,” she said.
“The cruise ship visitors walk along this same boardwalk – it’s only a matter of time before a cruise boat visitor is hurt.
What are the potential outcomes from that?”
Wilson, who will soon open a new restaurant on the boardwalk said it was frustrating to see offenders “face no repercussions through the court system”.
Jonathan Jackson, 3rd July 2024
