Following the Queensland Government’s announcement of the Queensland Police Service (QPS) blackspot eradication trial in the Western Downs, we wrote to the Minister for Police requesting a similar trial be considered for the Noosa North Shore, Teewah Beach and broader Cooloola Coast.

This current trial sees police vehicles fitted with modern technology and portable communication kits to deliver high speed internet and critical communications in an effort to strengthen frontline capability and improving navigation of mobile blackspots, particularly in rural and regional areas.

Our advocacy highlighted ongoing communication challenges across Noosa North Shore, Teewah Beach and the Cooloola Coast, where police and emergency responders can be required to travel significant distances to obtain reception. This has implications not only for operational effectiveness, but also for the safety of both responders and the community, particularly during emergencies.

We also suggested that any trial in our region be aligned with high demand periods such as school holidays and Operation Sandstorm, when an increased QPS presence is deployed across these areas.

The minister provided the following response in italics:

As you are aware, the QPS is commencing a pilot program for blackspot eradication which aims to enhance operational and critical communication capabilities for frontline police, as well as identifying priority blackspot areas and coordinating logistical deployment.

I am advised the initial portable communication kits, including two kits for North Coast Police Region, are anticipated to be delivered over the next few months. The QPS is working closely with suppliers of this equipment to expedite delivery.

While planning is underway, the QPS has advised delivery timelines cannot yet be confirmed for the North Coast Police Region for potential deployment during Operation Sandstorm.

In addition to the pilot program, the QPS continues to support and maintain a statewide radio network which comprises of 374 towers and approximately 3400 portable handsets across Queensland. The QLiTE system is also being improved to further enhance the effectiveness of the portable communication kits for frontline police, ensuring officers are supported with reliable and advanced communication tools.

The QPS remains committed to using the data and feedback from this pilot program to inform future decisions regarding the expansion of blackspot eradication measures across Queensland. The outcomes of Operation Sandstorm will also be monitored to identify opportunities for improvements.

We welcome confirmation that two portable communication kits are anticipated for delivery to the North Coast Police Region, which includes the Noosa electorate.

We will continue to monitor the rollout and seek further detail on where these kits will be deployed, while continuing to advocate for their use across the Noosa North Shore, Teewah Beach and the Cooloola Recreation Area, particularly during peak periods.

We will also engage with local QPS stations and Officers-in-Charge to better understand how existing communication systems, including the statewide radio network and QLiTE system, are performing in blackspot areas and identify opportunities for improvement.

Further information

For more on QPS initiatives and updates, visit: https://www.police.qld.gov.au

For updates on mobile blackspot programs and regional connectivity, visit:  https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/phone/mobile-black-spot-program