Thieves and vandals are targeting Townsville and Thuringowa boat ramps. SUNFISH NQ has received over 30 reports from disgruntled boat owners over the last 2 months with reports of car windows being smashed and trailers being stripped of parts. In some instances, cars and trailers were jacked up and the wheels stolen.
Townsville Police seems powerless to prevent this problem that seems to be getting worse with time. It appears that the culprits are well organised and are effectively evading the casual police patrols who can be seen coming for some distance. Investigations to this point in time have been inadequate in identifying those responsible.
SUNFISH NQ received a report on Saturday afternoon from a local tackle shop who advised that a customer had reported to him that 5 cars were broken into at the Ross River Ramp on Friday night and parts were taken of trailers leaving boaties stranded on their return to the ramp.
It doesn’t help that the solar powered lights at the Ross River and Stoney Creek (Bohle) ramps are presently out of order and both areas are pitch black of a night providing the ideal situation for thieves and vandals. This typifies the lack of priority given to the recreational fishing community who are the main users of these facilities. Councils and the State Government effectively treat us like second-class citizens compared to other sporting groups such as cricket or kite flying.
Townsville’s 8200 trailer boat owners are becoming increasingly frustrated by the poor standard of ramps and adjacent facilities in this region and it is time for the State Government and councils to work together to upgrade and make our facilities safe for residents and the tourists we are trying to attract.
The security risks at these ramps typify the situation that we have across the board on boating facilities for the small boat owner. It is time for the police to get serious about catching the culprits before the situation gets out any worse.