Violence handball: Council denies interchange responsibility

ERIN PEARSON
A GEELONG councillor has rejected calls for council to act on violence around its Moorabool St bus interchange.
Andy Richards said maintaining law and order was a job for police.
But police and State Government have denied responsibility for the bus interchange.
The Independent last month revealed concerns about fighting and misbehaviour around the facility. A security guard urged council to put on additional staff before summer to avoid problems going “out of control”.
Cr Richards this week called for police to act.
“The security guards at the bus interchange are paid for by the state Department of Transport and are there to assist bus passengers, not to keep the peace – that’s the responsibility of police officers,” he said.
But a spokesperson for the department said its “customer service staff” at the interchange were temporary appointments to help passengers through the facility’s “transition period”.
Providing security was a Victoria Police responsibility, the spokesperson said.
Geelong Police Inspector Chris Gawne said foot and bike patrols in the area would continue throughout spring and summer but stationing officers around the interchange indefinitely was not feasible.
Member for South Barwon Andrew Katos said State Government and council should work together on the issue.
He accused Cr Richards of “grand standing”.
“Council voted to put the bus interchange on Moorabool St and now it’s a problem for security. Andy Richards was happy to support its relocation but now says it’s a State Government problem,” Mr Katos said.
“Andy shouldn’t be playing a blame game. This should be about local government and State Government working together to find solutions.”
Mr Katos said he would meet Acting Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay later this month to discuss staffing in Geelong.