Weipa residents will be able to continue taking their driving tests locally after outrage on social media sparked government action. Photo: Facebook (David Kempton MP).
Weipa residents going for their driver’s licence are being reassured that testing services will continue locally.
Outrage sparked on social media earlier this month when a resident reported they had been told local police would no longer offer the service locally.
In the post, the resident wrote they were informed by Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Mareeba that “they have no idea when or if the service would return, and to contact my local member for parliament as they have nothing more to say”.
Numerous angry residents reached out to Member for Cook David Kempton, who has confirmed a short-term solution is in place to ensure the continuation of the service.
“Over recent days, I have been working closely with the minister to identify both an immediate and a longer-term solution to address this matter,” he said.
“In the short-term, an Indigenous driver examiner with the appropriate qualifications and capacity will be made available to conduct driving tests for Weipa residents.
“In the longer-term, I am committed to ensuring a permanent driver examiner is recruited for the area. While training for a driver examiner typically takes approximately six weeks, the interim arrangements will ensure continuity of service for the Weipa community.”
Mr Kempton reported that the local Queensland Police Service (QPS) officer who had been undertaking driving tests was on leave, and QPS was withdrawing from the service altogether across the state.
“Weipa Police no longer have suitably trained officers or the operational capacity to continue this non-police related role due to increased demand of core policing duties,” a QPS spokesperson said.
“Police have been advised that Transport and Main Roads are seeking a temporary and full-time solution so this service can resume for the greater Weipa area.”
For residents with a booking in January or February, TMR’s Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business spokesperson confirmed the implementation of a fly-in-fly-out driving examiner from its Indigenous driver licensing unit.
“Weipa residents will continue to receive their practical driving tests locally and won’t be required to travel for this important service,” a department spokesperson said.
“The 18 residents who had tests scheduled in January and February have been contacted to reschedule their appointments.”
