Community
10 April, 2025
Folk working in harmony
MOSSMAN business owners are working in harmony to try to stop property damage along the main street.
Following recent concerns about the spate of business property damage, particularly along Front Street, a second meeting was arranged in the shire hall last Thursday (April 3), entitled ‘Mossman Community Harmony Initiative’ which was attended by over 40 people, including Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, deputy mayor Roy Zammataro, Cr Abigail Noli, council CEO Scott Osman and LNP Leichhardt candidate Jeremy Neal.
Local elders were also present, together with business owners and Mossman Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Sergeant Matthew Smith.
Unlike the first meeting in February, where thoughts and opinions were taken from the floor, the second meeting was more structured with individual groups within the shire hall discussing the current concerns and the immediate and longer-term actions required.
Each group gave feedback on their discussions and, although it was agreed that crime and general unpleasant behaviour had reduced in recent weeks, there were still concerns around alcohol and the resultant damage to property caused at night by a mix of children and adults.
Other issues flagged included, the lack of and poor quality of camera footage available in the area, the congregation of groups around areas of free Wi-Fi and the fact that young people will often stay out at night, rather than return to an abusive home where they may feel unsafe.
“Many kids have no meal provided at home, so Mossman Youth Services provide hot meals every day,” said youth development coordinator Brody Andrews.
“We have now committed to keeping the youth centre open from 1pm to 9pm, Tuesdays to Fridays, and we also open partly on Saturdays as well. At night children are given a lift home,” he said.
Cr Zammataro believes that immediate action and help is required for certain community members.
“One problem is people coming from other towns. We need more support for the kids, but it needs to be for our children in Mossman, not elsewhere,” he said.
Questions were asked about potential problems with late night gambling in local establishments and the ability to obtain alcohol late at night. It was confirmed that local pubs had now stopped serving take away alcohol after 7.30pm, with Club Mossman stopping at 9pm.
A number of other suggestions from the evening’s groups were presented, including ideas such as an approachable police vehicle, maybe with Indigenous artwork.
Thoughts also included an Indigenous truancy officer at local schools, more cultural events, forming a local PCYC and more volunteer and sporting activities for youth to get involved in.
Sgt Smith said he was hoping for more resources.
“I would love to see a 24-hour station, with more staff,” he said.
“But with a large area to cover, increasing staff means we would then need more vehicles.
“We do hope to see some extra police officers for both Mossman and Port Douglas in the near future.”
With regards to alcohol, Sgt Smith believes there is no immediate resolution but rather a long term approach is required.
He also would like to see the introduction of up to four Police Liaison Officers (PLOs).
Results from the evening are now being collated by Douglas Shire Council, with results possibly due by Friday, April 11.
Read More: Mossman
