Community
2 August, 2024
How to fix CBD
TWO youth crime advocates have delivered a harsh critique of the Cairns CBD to regional councillors.
Nothing was out of bounds when businesswoman Perri Conti and law graduate Shane Cuthbert were given 10 minutes to address the council meeting last week, including dirty streets, lack of rubbish bins, policing, toilets and lighting, alcohol bans and ineffective security patrols.
They told councillors that in the past few months they had spent two to three nights a week in the Cairns CBD working with some of the most disadvantaged, at-risk, vulnerable and criminalised children. They made many suggestions towards ‘making Cairns safe again’.
“We have witnessed, in the week prior to the Ironman and throughout the school holidays, reduced numbers of problem young people and adults in the CBD as QPS (Queensland Police Service) has worked hard to clear them away,” Ms Conti said.
“We are currently seeking a response from QPS as to why they have this ability during such times and why this cannot be achieved throughout the year,” she said.
Ms Conti said international studies had shown cleaning and greening reduced crime.
“We can’t expect to have a clean CBD when we don’t have enough bins. We regularly walk the block from the Esplanade through to Abbott St where there are only four bins. Those bins on Shields St and the Esplanade between McDonald’s and the night markets are always overflowing. If we don’t have cleaners or staff emptying them in a timely manner, we need more bins,” she said.
“Tourists have an impression that Cairns, this beautiful city, is dirty, with crime, people sleeping rough and those displaced contribute to that impression, but cleaning is a huge part.
“Recently, we have noticed that the lighting on Shields St has been dimmed/switched off due to an art installation that, although very pretty, is very dangerous. The section of Shields St between Lake and Abbott streets is very dark and limits the visibility in the area, increasing the appeal for delinquents to drink and hide in the area.”
Mr Cuthbert said they had noticed that the buskers placed outside the night markets, McDonald’s and other high traffic locations had contributed to a reduction in crime and loitering by problem youth and adults.
“(The) council should consider supporting more buskers in Cairns,” he said.
Mr Cuthbert has called for Shields St between Abbott and Lake streets to be reopened to traffic and parking.
“We must seriously consider opening Shields St and bringing more local people back into town, access and parking,” he said.
“There are so many vacant shops down on the Esplanade and surrounds it’s embarrassing.
Mr Cuthbert said Townsville had successfully banned alcohol sales in the CBD until after noon.
“The immediate effect this had was reducing significantly the number of drunken, disorderly itinerants in the CBD as they moved outside the city limits to get the grog,” he said.
“Keep in mind, this does not solve the issue and simply diverts the problem elsewhere but, the CBD is the heart of our town, it’s where the tourists go, it’s where our events are held and it’s where we need to get some life back in for our locals to return, to feel safe.
“We are aware that Cairns Regional Council has been crushing confiscated cars and others that
have been dumped across town, damaged and stolen.
“We would like the council to consider donating these cars to the hub where together with volunteer mechanics, children will fix these cars and donate them back to victims of crime.
“We would like to suggest this council support/organise a youth crime forum where residents, victims, youth advocates, the police and community stakeholders can discuss the issues and put forward solutions to these issues.
“Alternatively, the council may support a series of workshops and/or consider expanding the fortnightly youth networking meetings held in the council building downstairs.
“We believe the Cairns CitySafe security patrols are a waste of money and we encourage you to come down and see it for yourself.”
Mr Cuthbert said the officers were not allowed to physically intervene in any situation.
“The $3.6m spend is a total waste of resources.”
