Richard Foley has put forward a notice of motion requesting council looks at ways to prevent the illegal use of motorbikes in Wagga Wagga. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
For well over a year Tolland residents have been crying out for something to be done over the illegal use of motorcycles and dirt bikes in the suburb, Wagga councillor Richard Foley says.
At last night’s (24 March) Wagga Wagga City Council meeting, a notice of motion presented by Councillor Richard Foley requested that the council looked into ways to limit and prevent the illegal use of the bikes and what legal avenues it could take.
Concern was expressed about the riding of unregistered dirt bikes on roads and highways, particularly late at night.
“The purpose of the motion is to seek an extensive report about what can council do, what it can’t do and what can we do to help the police prevent the use of these bikes,” Cr Foley said.
“We (councillors) have a trip to the police station next week, where they’re going to take us through and give us an idea of what their methods are, what the challenges they’re facing, and what can be done.”
The motion was supported by all councillors except Councillor Jenny McKinnon.
Cr Foley expressed empathy for the people of Tolland and the ongoing belief by its residents that if it was a newer or nothern Wagga suburb, action would have been taken long ago.
“People think that because we’re the battler middle class, we can just suck it up,” he said.
“This has been going on for years, and whether it’s the working-class areas of town or the newer areas of town, something needs to be done.
“In my personal view, we need to strip people of their bikes and smash the lot up. Bring in the (NSW Police) Raptor Squad [the state police unit that combats motorcycle-related crimes] and have them work in Wagga for two weeks.
“Pull the bikes from the criminals, return the stolen goods back to the public and give a hard and stern response that we’re not going to take it anymore.”
Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout agreed with Cr Foley’s belief that work needed to be done to prevent the illegal use of motorcycles but stood firm that he had only heard about motorcycles becoming an issue in the past two or three months.
“I can only speak from what I’ve heard, and that’s the first I’ve heard of it in the last couple of months,” he said.
“It’s an issue all over the whole city. I don’t think particularly in relation to one suburb or location.”
Cr Tout said a report would be conducted by council staff over the next six months and when completed councillors would decide how to proceed with preventing the issue.
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