Tara Murray
Brimbank council’s local anti-hoon laws have resulted in a decrease in the number of hoons on local streets, according to latest data.
In January 2018, the council was the first in the state to introduce laws which gave police powers to issue fines to anyone caught conducting or spectating at illegal, dangerous or harmful activity involving vehicles on council property or in a public place.
Fines can be up to $800.
Since the laws were introduced, 327 infringements have been issued – there’s been none issued so far this year, and just three in December, 2020.
Brimbank council city development director Kelvin Walsh said a number of councils were considering introducing similar laws before COVID-19 hit.
“Brimbank council has received consistently positive feedback in response to the laws, both from Victoria Police and from the community.
“The prospect of a fine seems to be working as incidents of hooning events in Brimbank – including complaints to council – have reduced since the introduction of this local law.
“Prior to this change, council received weekly complaints from the community about hooning events. This has now drastically reduced.”
“Brimbank council’s first priority is the safety of our community. Hoon events … are a danger to the people taking part, and to the wider community, and can damage roads and property.”
Brimbank Highway Patrol recently said members were regularly called to attend hoon events.
It is believed many of the events are being held just outside Brimbank’s borders.
Hume councillor Jack Medcraft, who last week called for the cars of hoon drivers to be crushed, said he had “absolutely” noticed an increase of hoon activity in neighbouring Hume.
“You can’t have one council [Brimbank, with a hard stance], that’s not going to stop them… they’ll just move to the next block.
“The problem I have with fines is a lot of these [people] wouldn’t have the money to pay or just wouldn’t pay.
“But if you take their car off them, they’d react pretty quickly.”
Victoria Police have launched Operation Achilles, following a rise in the number of illegal hoon meets and other intentional high risk driving (IHRD) events over the past few months.
As part of Achilles, investigators across the state will work together to reduce and disrupt hoon activity and identify those responsible for organising hoon meets.
Police will also patrol known hoon hot spots.
Fourteen people were arrested and charged late last month in relation to an alleged illegal hoon meet.
