High-tech attack on hoons

 Police will have new high-tech cameras, including an expanded fleet of drones to crackdown on hoons.

The new technology will add to the existing network of thousands of traffic cameras across the state.

The assault on hooning will make it much easier for police to catch hoons and to take strong action against them.

Police will have high-tech night vision capable cameras that can be deployed covertly, operated by an officer, or deployed on a drone.

Complementing the new camera technology the Government is looking to expand existing laws, including shifting the onus of proof onto the vehicle owner.

This means if the owner claims they weren’t driving the vehicle at the time of the offence, it will be up to them to prove it.

Putting the onus on the owner, would allow police to take greater advantage of the  hooning footage captured by CCTV cameras.

These changes will provide police with enhanced flexibility when dealing with gatherings of hoons.

For example, if dozens of cars were hooning in a particular location, police would be able to use these new hi-tech cameras to capture images of all the vehicles.

The high-resolution images would allow police to identify each vehicle, and then proceed to take action against the registered owner, unless the owner could demonstrate they weren’t driving at the time.

The expanded laws would cover a wider range of traffic offences caught on camera.

An offender would no longer be able to avoid prosecution by simply masking their identities and denying they had been behind the wheel.

These changes are supported by the Queensland Police Service and the Queensland Police Union.

Drivers identified hooning in stolen vehicles would face theft and hooning charges.

These tough new tactics will complement the already harshest hoon penalties in the nation and will add to the arsenal of enforcement measures already being used by police to target hooning on Queensland’s roads:

• Intelligence-driven enforcement with covert patrols

• Monitoring of all forms of social media to take swift action

• Hoon Hotline 13HOON 

• High-visibility patrols 

• Dedicated Road Policing officers

• POLAIR aerial surveillance

• Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology 

• Road safety camera trailers

• Thousands of traffic cameras across the state

• Police drone fleet

Penalties vary for different hooning offences. For example, driving in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke carries a maximum fine of 20 penalty units ($2669) while the most serious offences, such as careless driving—also known as driving without due care and attention—or street racing, carry a maximum fine of 40 penalty units ($5338) or 6 months in jail.

In addition, for specific offences classed as hooning—anti-social behaviour in a motor vehicle—police now have the power to impound, immobilise and confiscate the vehicle you were driving when you committed the offence.

Eastern Transitway start to put families and jobs in fast-lane

Works have officially started on the Palaszczuk Government’s $30 million Eastern Transitway project, supporting 50 jobs.

 Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey joined local MPs today to turn the sod on the first stage of the congestion-tackling project, which will also lock in 50 jobs for the region as it continues to recover from COVID-19.

 Member for Capalaba Don Brown said the project was a game changer for families in Brisbane’s east and the Redlands with travel times to improve for drivers as well as the 8,000 commuters and 430 bus services who travel along the road during peak periods.

 “Our community is hungry for public transport,” Mr Brown said.

 “That’s why we’re building the Eastern Transitway: to free up traffic for buses and cars, unlike the LNP who cut funding for public transport in our suburbs as part of their $1.6 billion slash and burn on the state’s road budget.

 “With the huge numbers of people take up bike riding because of COVID-19, we’ve also expanded the scope to include a new, 3m-wide, shared path, and on-road, bike-lane improvements.”

 Member for Redlands Kim Richards said the benefits of the project would be two-fold: addressing congestion and creating all-important jobs in construction.

 "Our community’s strong response to the health impacts of COVID-19 means the Palaszczuk Government has been able to continue delivering projects like this and the $60 million Cleveland-Redland Bay Road upgrades,” Ms Richards said.

 "Investing in Queensland infrastructure means creating Queensland jobs as we unite and recover from COVID-19.

 "Our community wants more incentives to take public transport. Projects like this, the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail and $371 million smart ticketing project are part of the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to creating more transport infrastructure for Queenslanders. 

Honoured to be turning the sod on The Eastern Transitway.

 Shovels in the ground comes as consultation on the transitway officially wrapped up last month, with feedback showing the majority of the community supported the transport solution.

 “The community told us that improving environmental outcomes in the local area was something else they wanted out of the project.

 “Because project teams have consulted with environmental groups we’ve been able to look at new fauna fencing, crossings and revegetation as part of the project.”

To have your say or for more information visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au and search Eastern Transitway. 

Deb’s Roads Plan Disappoints

Last week’s visit to Redlands by Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington showed that the LNP have no plan for roads and public transport for Redland City. With less than 100 days to go until the election the Leader of the Opposition was unable to announce a single new dollar for State-controlled roads in Redland City.

 Member for Capalaba, Don Brown said, “Deb Frecklington’s visit last week showed clearly that the LNP have no plans for roads and transport in the Redlands. Out of her much touted $1bn roads plan for South-East Queensland, Redland City received $0 towards State-controlled roads.

 “Sealing some roads on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, which the Mayor promised to do in 2016, is no Redlands transport plan,” Mr Brown said.

 Member for Redlands, Kim Richards said, “Here we go again, when Deb Frecklington was Assistant Treasurer to Campbell Newman she completely ignored the infrastructure needs of Redland City and now we are seeing more of the same.

 “I have fought hard to ensure Redlands gets our fair share of roads and public transport funding by delivering $60m for Stage 1 of the Cleveland-Redland Bay Road duplication, a road the LNP weren’t going to look at until 2025. I’ve also secured over $20m for the new Southern Moreton Bay Island ferry terminals and $2.5m for to start Council green sealing SMBI roads now,” Ms Richards said.

 Member for Capalaba, Don Brown also stated, “Only the Palaszczuk Labor Government has a plan for roads and public transport for Redlanders, that includes our $5m upgrade to the Old Cleveland Road on-ramp, $30m for the Eastern Transitway - making bus and commuter travel faster along Old Cleveland Road and delivering Cross River Rail, which will bring major benefits to the Cleveland line.

 “Redlands can’t risk a Deb Frecklington-led LNP that has no plan for Redlands,” Mr Brown said.