Nicklin MP Rob Skelton provided a written statement regarding CBD safety concerns as follows:

The safety and prosperity of our community will always be my priority.  

I speak with our hard-working local QPS officers regularly and am proud of the work they have been doing to reduce crime in our community. 

I reject the assertion from the Member for Maroochydore that crime is increasing in Nambour overall. QPS statistics show a clear downward trend over the last 5 years. Nambour is one of the safest places on the Sunshine Coast.

We’re investing in front-line services and local infrastructure to give the police the resources they deserve. Increased detection of offences can be directly attributed to the Palaszczuk Government’s crackdown on hooning with better legislation, better equipment like automatic license plate readers and high-tech drones, and increased recruitment.

 At the last election the LNP actually wanted to have less front-line police officers for our community. They should be judged on their record, not their media releases.

This is in stark contrast to the State Government’s commitment to provide the resources for a world-class police service, which Mrs Simpson voted in favour of in Parliament only last month. If she had an issue with the resourcing in our area, why did she not say something then?

I’m proud to be a part of the Palaszczuk Government making the largest investment in policing in Queensland’s history, backed up in our region by the new $9 Million Nambour Police Station, and the new $4 Million Cooroy Police Station.

I also reject the assertion from the Member for Maroochydore that Nambour is in any way shutting down. Our town continues to grow as it transitions from being a former mill town to embrace a new creative and cultural identity with greater connections to community and country.

The Special Entertainment Precinct status provided by the State Government and supported by Sunshine Coast Council, Reimagine Nambour and others continues to attract significant investment into our town, with several new venues just about to open. This wouldn’t be happening if the Member for Maroochydore were correct in her assumptions.

The people of Nambour are tired of the LNP running our town down with this false narrative about crime for their own political gain. It’s time for the LNP to start telling the truth and stop using Nambour as their political football.

Survey launched

I’m committed to making Nambour an even greater place to live, work and shop, so I’m inviting everyone in the local area to complete my survey on how we can best improve our town and make sure it gets a fair go.

You can provide your views here: https://bit.ly/NambourCBD

Remember, in an emergency always dial 000.  If the crime is not happening now, is not life-threatening or there is no likelihood of the suspected offenders still being in the area – report online or call 131 444. Report suspicious activity anonymously to Crimestoppers on 1800 333 00 and get involved with your local neighbourhood watch. Together, we can all make a difference.