RESIDENTS AT RISK

BURLEIGH Heads residents are 'incensed' that their dire predictions
about trouble surrounding a controversial needle exchange have come
true, says a lobby group leader.

Burleigh Heads Action Group spokesman Michael Hart said his phone had
rung hot yesterday with calls from concerned residents after The Gold
Coast Bulletin reported police had arrested two people for six
break-ins on businesses in and around the needle exchange at a West
Burleigh Road commercial centre on Wednesday night.

Although little was stolen, it is believed whoever was responsible was
drug affected.

Mr Hart said residents and the action group warned early this year the
needle exchange would attract crime in the area.

"Now we have been proven correct and the State Government is not
interested in this matter at all," he said.

"This is a business area with a large residential area behind it and
it is totally unsuitable for a needle exchange.

"These people go in there as high as kites and it is unfair for the
businesses and residents around there that they are continually
exposed to this real risk.

"Our action group has repeatedly called for this exchange to be moved
to the Robina Hospital, then if there are any health issues these
people are in the right place to be dealt with."

Mr Hart said the Burleigh Heads Action Group would hold a public rally
about the needle exchange in parkland behind the commercial centre at
a date to be decided in January.

Area councillor Greg Betts said the needle exchange, which is run by
Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN), was now operating
illegally, but there was nothing the council could do about it.

The exchange moved to its present site in November last year after 13
years on the Gold Coast Highway at Miami.

QuIHN is a private company, but it operates on government grants. It
is a needle exchange that offers voluntary counselling.

"It opened here with no public consultation and no planning approval,"
said Cr Betts.

"The operators applied for planning permission in February but the
council refused it and QuIHN has now appealed that decision to the
Planning and Environment Court and we have not yet been advised of a
date.

"Our town planners have told me they will win in the court because
they always have a doctor on the premises when they are open and they
are described as a medical centre, which is suitable land use in that
commercial centre.

"We cannot close them down at present because they have appealed, so
it's a messy situation and I feel for the business owners and
residents because it is clearly not a suitable location for a needle
exchange."