Renowned lawyer and Reimagine Nambour Chairman Peter Boyce says he is determined to keep the issue of CBD safety high on the radar of authorities. 

His comments follow the launch of an online “Petition for a Safer Town”  seeking State Government action to quell drug and alcohol abuse, in-street violence, youth crime, vagrancy and menacing behaviour in Nambour. 

Mr Boyce said the problems were having a demoralising effect on Nambour, causing residents to feel unsafe and businesses to suffer with shoppers reluctant to walk the streets.  

“The trauma that's experienced by businesses and people in that area is unacceptable,” he said. “We're desperate to make sure that this issue, the safety aspect, stays well and truly high on the agenda and doesn't go away. 

“We're all happy that our own health and wellbeing and safety is not an issue. But I really feel for a lot of those people who are trying to run a business in the CBD.

“Because they shouldn't be subjected to that sort of conduct.

“And I can tell you, when I've been to some meetings, and heard the first-hand experiences of some of those people, I have been shell-shocked by how bad it's been at times.

“And I realize every larger community has some issues about people's conduct, and the way they behave. But there’s got to be a better way. 

“And why should anyone be subjected to this type of conduct from a tiny minority of people? Especially when, at the same time, we're trying to say, ‘Come to Nambour. Come and enjoy our beautiful town’?

“Our whole aim is to make sure that, not only is it a good place to visit, but to make sure that the Special Entertainment Precinct develops and promotes further investment in Nambour.  

“It's the investment in Nambour that we're trying to make sure happens. But we don't want to be hamstrung by conduct that's not acceptable by any standards. I can’t believe how traumatized some people are. It's just awful.”

Mr Boyce’s comments follow Reimagine Nambour’s open letter in the last Gazette calling for interest from local businesses in the idea of paying for extra police patrols in the CBD.  

Reimagine Nambour will also investigate appointing “Community Police Officers” who may not have all of the powers of police officers but have powers to move on and arrest people for conduct that is unbecoming or criminal in certain circumstances.

You can support the online Town Safety Petition at www.facebook.com/iamnambour