Brimbank council’s trailblazing anti hoon laws have been labelled a success.
The Victorian-first laws were introduced in January and allow police to issue $800 fines to anyone who participates or attends a hoon event in Brimbank.
No gatherings have been reported in Brimbank since the laws were introduced.
Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice said the council and local police were extremely happy the new law was proving to be a deterrent.
“We introduced this local law at the request of local police.
“It’s aimed at organised ‘hoon’ events and targets drivers, passengers and spectators, and allows the police to issue council fines to anyone involved.
“There have been no reports of hoon events since the local law was introduced on the first of January this year.
“The prospect of an $800 fine is proving to be enough of a deterrent to keep hoons away from Brimbank,” Cr Giudice said.
Brimbank Highway Patrol Sergeant Andy Oakley said hoon behaviour has been an issue for Brimbank for a number of years.
“Streets and intersections … were left with the mess and damage for council to clean up and repair,” he said.
“A large number have been successfully prosecuted over the years, with car after car being impounded.
“Crowds were being encouraged to walk onto the roadway and block the attending police cars from going after the offending vehicles.”
Sgt Oakley said the anti hoon laws had already netted results.
“The introduction of the local law has had such a significant impact that we no longer receive complaints of hoon gatherings in Brimbank since it came into effect,” he said.
“I expect that one day, they will forget about the Brimbank local laws, and will return to the area for a hoon event, but when and if they do the police and council local law officers now have the tools to appropriately fine them, and stop this type of behaviour in its tracks before it ever becomes an ongoing problem again.” Brimbank council’s General Local Law 2018 can be viewed at brimbank.vic.gov.au
