Last week’s front page (Hoon Law On Skids, Gazette, 27 May) depicted that Cardinia Shire Council was unwilling to explore a police request to introduce a local law to address anti-social hoon behaviour.
I feel obliged to clarify the facts.
In September 2014 council commenced the review of our local laws and as part of our consultation, council wrote to police in Cardinia seeking their comments.
Council officers also sought comment from police on two further occasions.
As I saw merit to investigate the introduction of a local law that could be used to assist in dispersing crowds who gather for anti-social and hoon behaviour, I also directly communicated with local police seeking their comments and views regarding such a local law.
Despite this direct communication from council officers and myself, no written submission about our review of our local laws was received from police in Cardinia.
Councillors were recently briefed on submissions about the review of our local laws.
We discussed a local law to address hoon behaviour at length but without police expressing support, council decided not to proceed with the investigation and introduction of such a local law at this stage.
Cardinia Shire Council has a good working relationship with our local police and we are always willing to assist to make our community safer.
If police in Cardinia see value in such a local law, I encourage them to make a detailed submission to council.
Brett Owen,
Ranges Ward councillor,
Cardinia Shire Council.
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