More police required

WITH industry giant LNG set to attract about 10,000 people to the Gladstone region, locals have raised concerns as to whether police numbers are adequate.

Local Rennae Twidale said she felt a greater police presence would be needed to keep order in the town.

“We'll have a large amount of workers here and I feel more police would be required,” she said.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) said the Gladstone District was working closely with LNG proponents and other industry developers to determine future police needs.

“Currently there are 167 police in the Gladstone District,” a QPS spokesperson said.

“Recently, the district was allocated five additional police, including officers for Calliope, Gladstone and Traffic.

“As the needs of the community and the service are established, it may be the case additional police for the district will be required.”

But with about 5000 workers set to take up residence at Port Curtis Island, questions have also been raised as to whether the area needs a police station.

In the media statement, the QPS said it did not have plans for a police station at Port Curtis Island.

“The QPS are continually working with LNG proponents to address policing needs of Curtis Island, particularly during the construction phase,” QPS said.

“At this stage, policing from the mainland will be sufficient to meet the needs of Port Curtis Island.”

But with a housing shortage and high rental prices, the question remains if the QPS could attract police officers to the Gladstone region if they needed to.

“The attraction and retention of staff in regional areas like Gladstone has been and will continue to be a challenge,” the QPS said.

“The difficulties attracting staff are not solely to do with housing affordability and availability.

“The QPS currently own a number of residential properties within the Gladstone District which are occupied by officers. These properties assist in the desirability in the location.”